Health Uncomplicated: What is Lupus?
What is lupus?
Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease that can affect the joints, skin kidneys, blood cells, brain, heart, and lungs. Approximately 1.5 million Americans have lupus, and about 16,000 people are diagnosed with the condition each year. Globally, more than 5 million people have lupus. (1)
Are there multiple types of lupus?
There are four types of lupus. They are:
Systemic lupus Erythematosus (SLE)
Cutaneous lupus
Drug-induced lupus (DIL)
Neonatal lupus
Systemic lupus Erythematosus (SLE)
This is the most common type of lupus. SLE affects many organs, especially the skin, joints, and kidneys.
Cutaneous lupus
Cutaneous lupus affects the skin. There are three subtypes of cutaneous lupus:
Acute cutaneous lupus, Chronic cutaneous lupus erythematosus or discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE), and subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus.
Each type of cutaneous lupus has its own characteristic lesions and skin rashes, and approximately 65% of individuals with SLE will develop cutaneous lupus. (2)
Drug-induced Lupus (DIL)
Drug-induced lupus is a phenomenon that occurs when an individual develops symptoms that are similar to SLE after taking specific drugs. DIL was first recognized in 1954 after patients developed lupus-like symptoms from exposure to Hydralazine (a medication used to treat hypertension and other conditions). (3) Since this initial discovery, more than 100 drugs have been attributed to causing DIL. (4)
Neonatal Lupus
Neonatal lupus is not classified as true lupus. It arises when a mother with lupus transmits autoantibodies associated with lupus to the developing fetus. When the baby is born, it may exhibit symptoms such as a skin rash, liver problems, or low blood cell counts. These symptoms typically resolve by around 6 months of age without any long-term consequences.
Nonetheless, neonatal lupus can lead to congenital heart block, a condition characterized by a slow heartbeat. This occurrence is extremely rare and is usually detected between 18 and 24 weeks of age. Unlike other symptoms, congenital heart block does not naturally disappear, necessitating the eventual placement of a pacemaker in affected infants.
Recent advancements in testing have enabled physicians to identify mothers at risk of transmitting autoantibodies to their infants. With this knowledge, proactive treatment can be administered either before or immediately after birth, ensuring the baby's complete health. (5)
Who develops lupus?
Lupus predominantly affects females aged between 15 and 45, but it can occur in individuals of all age groups. Furthermore, it is more frequently observed in African American, Hispanic, and Asian populations. (6)
What Causes lupus?
Because lupus is an autoimmune condition, lupus manifests when the immune system targets and attacks the body's healthy tissues. Researchers believe that a blend of genetic and environmental elements contributes to the development of lupus.
Certain potential triggers include sunlight exposure, which can lead to lupus skin lesions in susceptible individuals, infections that may act as initiators or triggers for lupus, and specific medications that can bring about drug-induced lupus (7).