Lupus is a chronic, autoimmune disease which causes inflammation of various parts of the body,
especially the skin, joints, blood and kidneys. The immune system normally protects the body against viruses, bacteria and other foreign materials. In an autoimmune disease like lupus, the immune system
loses its ability to tell the difference between foreign substances and its own cells and tissues. The immune system then makes antibodies directed against “self.”
Lupus is NOT infectious, rare or cancerous.
Lupus is more prevalent than AIDS, sickle-cell anemia, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis and cystic
fibrosis combined. LFA research data show that between 1,400,000 and 2,000,000 people have been diagnosed with lupus. (Study conducted by Bruskin/Goldring Research, 1994.)
Although the cause of lupus is unknown, scientists suspect that individuals are genetically
predisposed to lupus, and know that environmental factors such as infections, antibiotics, ultraviolet light, extreme stress and certain drugs play a critical role in triggering lupus.
Lupus affects 1 out of every 185 Americans and strikes adult women 10-15 times more frequently
than adult men. Lupus is more prevalent in African Americans, Latinos, Native Americans and Asians.
Only 10% of people with lupus will have a close relative (parent or sibling) who already has or may
develop lupus. Only about 5% of the children born to individuals with lupus will develop the illness.
Lupus can be difficult to diagnose as the symptoms come and go and mimic many other illnesses.
Some symptoms of lupus can be transient joint and muscle pain, fatigue, a rash caused by or made worse by sunlight, low grade fevers, hair loss, pleurisy, appetite loss, sores in the nose or mouth or
painful sensitivity of the fingers to the cold.
Although lupus ranges from mild to life-threatening and thousands of Americans die with lupus each
year, the majority of cases can be controlled with proper treatment.
While medical science has not yet developed a method for curing lupus, new research brings
unexpected findings and increased hope each year.
The Lupus Foundation of America has nearly 100 local chapters directly providing patient services,
education, awareness and research in their local areas.
Researchers at the University of Minnesota, using a method of determining whether key genes are
being expressed at higher or lower levels than in healthy people, found 137 markers that appeared at altered levels in the blood of people with active lupus. These markers may one day allow doctors to
identify patients at risk for severe disease so that appropriate treatment can begin earlier.
The FDA issued a draft Lupus Guidance Document that, when finalized, will provide a roadmap for
industry to follow in establishing clinical trials of potential new therapies for lupus. It has been nearly 40 years since the FDA last approved a new medication specifically for lupus.
Lupus is a chronic, autoimmune disease which causes inflammation of various parts of the body,
especially the skin, joints, blood and kidneys. The immune system normally protects the body against viruses, bacteria and other foreign materials. In an autoimmune disease like lupus, the immune system
loses its ability to tell the difference between foreign substances and its own cells and tissues. The immune system then makes antibodies directed against “self.”
