What is Lupus?

Lupus is a chronic inflammatory disease that can affect various parts of the body, including the joints, skin, kidneys, and blood. It belongs to a group of autoimmune disorders in which the immune system, which typically produces antibodies to defend against bacteria, viruses, and other foreign substances (antigens), malfunctions. In lupus, the immune system fails to distinguish between foreign invaders and the body’s own cells and tissues. As a result, it produces autoantibodies that mistakenly attack the body’s own tissues. These autoantibodies combine with antigens to form immune complexes, which accumulate in tissues and contribute to inflammation and damage.

4 Types of Lupus

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)

This is the most common and severe form of lupus, affecting multiple organs such as the skin, joints, kidneys, heart, and brain. Symptoms vary widely and can include fatigue, joint pain, rashes, and organ inflammation.

Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus (CLE)

This type primarily affects the skin, causing rashes, lesions, and sensitivity to sunlight. The most common form, discoid lupus, results in scaly, round lesions that can lead to scarring.

Drug-Induced Lupus
(DIL)

Caused by certain medications, this form mimics systemic lupus symptoms, such as joint pain, fever, and muscle aches. Symptoms usually resolve once the medication is discontinued.

Neonatal

Lupus
(NL)

This occurs when certain antibodies pass from a mother to her fetus through the placenta. These antibodies attack healthy tissues and may cause a rash or heart damage. Monitoring during pregnancy is vital. 

Lupus Facts

Lupus affects 1 out of every 185 Americans. Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease that causes inflammation in different parts of the body, particularly the skin, joints, blood, brain, heart, lungs and kidneys. Normally, the immune system defends the body against viruses, bacteria, and other harmful substances, but in lupus, it mistakenly attacks the body’s own cells and tissues. As a result, the immune system produces antibodies that target the body’s own healthy structures.

Lupus affects more people than these 5 conditions combined:

  • AIDS
  • Sickle-Cell Anemia
  • Cerebral Palsy
  • Multiple Sclerosis
  • and Cystic Fibrosis

The exact cause of lupus remains unknown, but researchers believe that genetic factors may make some individuals more susceptible to the disease. Environmental triggers such as infections, certain medications, ultraviolet light exposure, extreme stress, and antibiotics are also thought to play a significant role in its development.

Diagnosing lupus can be challenging because its symptoms are intermittent and resemble those of many other illnesses. Common symptoms include joint and muscle pain, fatigue, skin rashes that worsen with sun exposure, low-grade fever, hair loss, mouth or nose sores, loss of appetite, and increased sensitivity of the fingers to cold temperatures.

Lupus is not AIDS, nor is it cancerous, contagious, or rare. According to nationwide surveys conducted by the Lupus Foundation of America, an estimated 1.5 million Americans are affected by some form of lupus. While the disease can occur in both men and women of all ages, it is 10 to 15 times more common in adult females and most often develops between the ages of 15 and 44.

Lupus is two to three times more prevalent among African Americans, Hispanics, Asians, and Native Americans. However, only about 10% of individuals with lupus have a close relative, such as a parent or sibling, with the disease. Additionally, the likelihood of a child born to a parent with lupus developing the condition is approximately 5%.

Common Symptoms

Diagnosing lupus can be challenging, as there is no single test to confirm the disease. Physicians evaluate a patient’s complete medical history, including laboratory tests, to aid in diagnosis. To guide this process, the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) has identified 11 criteria for lupus diagnosis, with at least four of these symptoms needed for confirmation.

Since lupus symptoms can be unpredictable and may not appear simultaneously, keeping a personal record of symptoms can be helpful. This information can assist doctors in making a more accurate diagnosis.

  • Malar Rash – A distinctive, butterfly-shaped rash that appears across the cheeks and nose.
  • Discoid Rash – A raised, scaly, disk-shaped rash that typically appears on sun-exposed areas of the skin.
  • Photosensitivity – An abnormal reaction to sunlight that causes a skin rash or worsens an existing rash.
  • Oral Ulcers – Painless sores that develop inside the mouth or nose.
  • Arthritis-like Symptoms – Swelling or tenderness affecting two or more joints.
  • Serositis – Inflammation of the lining around the lungs (pleuritis) or heart (pericarditis), often causing pain, especially when taking a deep breath.
  • Neurological Disorders – May involve unexplained seizures, convulsions, or episodes of psychosis.
  • Renal Disorder – Presence of excessive protein or abnormal cell casts in a urine sample.
  • Hematologic Disorder – Includes hemolytic anemia (low red blood cell count), leukopenia (low white blood cell count), or thrombocytopenia (low platelet count).
  • Antinuclear Antibody (ANA) Test – Positive in approximately 95% of people with lupus, though it can also appear in other diseases and healthy individuals.
  • Immunologic Disorder – Identified through blood tests detecting positive anti-double stranded DNA, anti-Sm, anti-Ro (SSA), anti-La (SSB), or a false-positive syphilis test (VDRL).
  • Other possible symptoms can include extreme fatigue, unexplained low-grade fever, and hair loss.

Treatment

There are several categories of drugs used to treat lupus, but only a few are specifically approved by the FDA for this condition. These include corticosteroids such as prednisone, prednisolone, methylprednisolone, and hydrocortisone; the antimalarial drug hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil®); monoclonal antibodies like Benlysta®; and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), including aspirin. However, many other medications are used to help manage lupus symptoms.

Lupus treatment is typically overseen by a rheumatologist, a specialist in diseases affecting the joints and muscles. Depending on which organs are affected, other specialists may be involved, such as a dermatologist for skin-related lupus, a cardiologist for heart complications, a nephrologist for kidney involvement, a neurologist for nervous system issues, or a gastroenterologist for digestive concerns. Women with lupus who are considering pregnancy may require care from an obstetrician specializing in high-risk pregnancies. Once diagnosed, your doctor will create a treatment plan based on your age, symptoms, overall health, and lifestyle. The primary goals of lupus treatment are to reduce inflammation, suppress overactive immune responses, prevent and manage flares, alleviate symptoms like joint pain and fatigue, and minimize organ damage.

Active participation in your medical care is essential. Keeping a record of symptoms can help your doctor determine when treatment adjustments are necessary. Physicians may also monitor lupus activity through regular lab tests, as changes in blood results can signal disease activity even before symptoms appear. Early detection can help prevent permanent tissue or organ damage and may reduce the need for high-dose medications. It’s also important to understand the potential side effects of any prescribed medication. Keeping a personal record of medications can help track any side effects and assist in discussions with your doctor. Never stop taking prescribed medication abruptly without consulting your physician. Open and honest communication with your healthcare team can lead to more effective treatment and better overall care.

Want to learn more?

Check out The Lupus Foundation of America and the

local Wisconsin Chapter for more information on Lupus and Lupus resources.