Lupus

Understanding Lupus

Lupus occurs about 10 times more often in women than in men, and it usually begins before age 45. With lupus, you regularly experience flare-ups, which can range from mild to severe, interspersed with periods of few or no symptoms.

Over time, the disease can lead to problems such as atherosclerosis (clogging of the arteries) and kidney failure that can result in death. However, with careful management of the condition, most people with lupus can expect a normal lifespan.

What is the Cause of Lupus?

Lupus is an autoimmune disease, meaning your body attacks itself. It likely arises from a combination of inherited susceptibility and environmental factors such as viruses, ultraviolet light and certain medications.

What are Symptoms of Lupus?

With lupus, your symptoms may include:

• Pain and swelling of the joints
• Fatigue
• Rashes
• Fever
• Weight loss
• Blood clots
• Anemia
• Hair loss
• Mouth sores
• Inflammation of the lining of the lungs (a condition known as pleurisy) or the lining of the heart (a condition known as pericarditis)
• Heartburn
• Poor circulation in the fingers and toes

A distinctive butterfly-shaped rash appears across the cheeks and the bridge of the nose in many—but not all—people with lupus.

How is Lupus Diagnosed?

If your physician suspects you have lupus, he/she will also look for signs of neurological problems and low kidney function and will order blood tests. A key test looks for antinuclear antibody (ANA), present in more than 95 percent of people with lupus. However, this test by itself does not provide conclusive evidence because many people without lupus also have a positive ANA reading. At IU Health, physicians use a combination of medical history, physical examination and laboratory studies to accurately diagnose you.

What are Treatment Options for Lupus?

Physicians consider lupus a complex and highly variable disease requiring careful individualized management. Drawing on highly specialized training and extensive clinical experience, physicians at IU Health closely monitor you and adjust their therapies as your symptoms change over time. With appropriate care, most IU Health lupus patients maintain high levels of functioning and lead productive, satisfying lifestyles.

IU Health’s affiliation with the Indiana University School of Medicine ensures you benefit from the latest innovations in the diagnosis and treatment of lupus. Through this partnership, your physicians also help train new generations of physicians and engage in research to evaluate new treatment options for rheumatic conditions such as lupus.

Additionally, they connect you with experts in cardiology, nephrology and other areas at IU Health for management of some aspects of the disease when appropriate.

Treatment options for lupus include:

• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Available in both over-the-counter and prescription versions, these medications can help to control your pain.
• Corticosteroids. Synthetic hormones, such as prednisone, can help reduce your inflammation.
• Immune suppressants. These medications impair your immune system’s ability to damage your body’s own tissues including the heart, lungs and kidneys. Doctors sometimes prescribe them in conjunction with corticosteroids.
• Antimalarial drugs. Certain medications used to treat malaria can also alleviate your lupus symptoms such as rashes, joint pain and fatigue.
• Biologic response modifiers. Genetically engineered medications that disrupt the immune system responses that lead to joint inflammation used for other rheumatic diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis may help decrease your inflammation. In 2011, belimumab (Benlysta) became the first new drug approved for lupus since 1955.