Lupus Awareness Month: Symptoms and Treatments
May is Lupus Awareness Month, making it the perfect time to share vital facts about a complex autoimmune disease that frequently goes undiagnosed.
According to data from the Lupus Foundation of America (LFA), an estimated 1.5 million Americans and over 5 million people worldwide are living with some type of lupus.
Because its symptoms often mimic those of other conditions, diagnosing lupus can be a long and challenging process. On average, it takes nearly six years from the onset of initial symptoms for an individual to receive an accurate diagnosis.
Due to this highly unpredictable nature, medical professionals often refer to lupus as the “disease of 1,000 faces” or “the great imitator.”
What is lupus?
Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease where the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks its own healthy tissue and organs. This long-term condition triggers widespread inflammation that can affect multiple body systems, including:
- Skin
- Joints
- Blood cells
- Kidneys
- Brain
- Heart
- Lungs
The chronic nature of lupus means that symptoms typically persist much longer than six weeks – often lasting for many years or a lifetime. While cases range from mild to life-threatening, proper medical care allows the majority of lupus patients to live a full and active life.
What causes lupus?
While lupus is a confirmed autoimmune condition, its exact cause remains unknown. Global research suggests that the disease stems from a combination of genetic, hormonal and environmental factors.
In a healthy body, the immune system generates proteins called antibodies to fight off foreign antigens like bacteria and viruses. In a person with lupus, the immune system cannot distinguish between these dangerous foreign invaders and healthy, native tissue. As a result, misdirected antibodies attack normal cells, creating persistent pain, inflammation and potential organ damage.
Common symptoms and flares
Lupus affects every patient differently, and no two cases look exactly alike. Lupus symptoms can develop slowly over time or appear with a sudden onset. The most common signs of lupus include:
- Extreme fatigue and unexplained fevers
- Joint pain, stiffness and swelling
- A butterfly-shaped rash stretching across the cheeks and the bridge of the nose
- Skin lesions that worsen with sun exposure
- Fingers and toes turning white or blue when exposed to cold temperatures or stress (Raynaud’s phenomenon)
- Chest pain, shortness of breath and chronic headaches
Most individuals experience these symptoms during cyclical episodes known as flares. During a flare, symptoms severely intensify for a period before improving or temporarily disappearing entirely.
Who is at risk?
Lupus can affect individuals of any age, gender or ethnic background. Certain demographic groups face a much higher risk:
- Gender: 90% of all people diagnosed with lupus are women.
- Age: The disease is most frequently diagnosed in individuals ages 15 to 44. However, up to 20% of cases develop during childhood, which often presents a more aggressive form of the disease.
- Ethnicity: According to health disparity data from the Lupus Foundation of America, lupus is significantly more common – and often more severe – in Black/African American, Hispanic, Asian American and Native American populations.
How is lupus diagnosed?
There is no single diagnostic test that can definitively confirm lupus. Because its symptoms overlap with many other illnesses, doctors must carefully review a combination of components, including:
- Comprehensive blood and urine tests
- Physical examinations evaluating joint and skin inflammation
- Detailed discussions regarding personal symptom history
- A review of inherited family medical histories
Treatment options and advancements
While there is currently no cure, an ongoing, customized treatment strategy can help successfully manage lupus. Traditional medications often include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), antimalarials (like hydroxychloroquine), corticosteroids, and traditional immunosuppressants.
The landscape for target therapies has accelerated significantly, bringing powerful new injections and infusions for lupus:
- Gazyva® (obinutuzumab): FDA-approved for adults with active lupus nephritis (lupus-related kidney disease) to directly target the underlying immune cells driving organ damage.
- Subcutaneous Anifrolumab: A recently FDA-approved, under-the-skin injection that blocks Type 1 interferon receptors, offering greater flexibility and symptom management for moderate-to-severe systemic lupus.
Partner with an infusion specialist in the Triangle
Coping with the day-to-day unpredictability of lupus can be frustrating, but you do not have to do it alone. Early medical intervention and a strong support network are crucial to maintaining an active, healthy lifestyle. If you or a loved one are experiencing symptoms that resemble lupus, consult your primary care provider immediately.
At Personalized Hematology/Oncology, our certified infusion center offers specialized intravenous and subcutaneous therapies for lupus and other autoimmune conditions. We collaborate directly with your medical team to build a treatment plan tailored specifically to your lifestyle.
Take action during Lupus Awareness Month. Contact Personalized Hematology/Oncology today to schedule an assessment with our in-house lupus treatment specialists.
