Lupus erythematosus

Genetics

It is typically believed that lupus is influenced by multiple genes. Lupus is usually influenced by gene polymorphisms, 30 of which have now been linked with the disorder. Some of these polymorphisms have been linked very tentatively, however, as the role that they play or the degree to which they influence the disease is unknown. Other genes that are commonly thought to be associated with lupus are those in the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) family. There have been several cases wherein a single gene influence appears to be present, but this is rare. When a single gene deficiency does cause lupus, it is usually attributed to the complement protein genes C1, C2, or C4. The influence of sex chromosomes and environmental factors are also noteworthy. Usually, these factors contribute to lupus by influencing the immune system. Several studies also indicate a potential association of lupus with mutations in DNA repair genes.

Age difference

Lupus can develop in people at any age, but it does most commonly at ages 15 to 44, with varying results. Typically, the manifestation of the disease tends to be more acute in those of younger age. Women are more likely to get it than men. Patients with juvenile-onset lupus are more vulnerable to mucocutaneous manifestations of the disease (alopecia, skin rash, and ulceration of the mucous membranes) than any other age group, and they are also more susceptible to evaluation of pulmonary artery pressure. However, patients with late-onset lupus have a much higher mortality rate. Nearly 50% of those with late-onset lupus die of their condition. Women who are of childbearing age are also particularly at risk.

Differences in ethnicity

Substantial data have been found to indicate that certain ethnic populations could be more at risk for lupus erythematosus and to have a better or worse prognosis. Asian, African, and Native Americans are more likely to get lupus than Caucasians. Caucasians seem generally to have a milder manifestation of the disease. Their survival rates after five years were typically around 94–96%, while patients of African and some Asian ethnicities had survival rates closer to 79–92%. The only documented ethnic group that had a higher survival rate than Caucasians was Koreans, who had survival rates nearer to 98%. Among Caucasians, the most common causes of death were complications involving the cardiovascular system, the respiratory system, and malignancies. Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease is more prevalent in African Americans with lupus than in Caucasians with lupus.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of lupus will vary from person to person. It is common to be diagnosed with other illnesses before a doctor can finally give a diagnosis of lupus because a lot of the symptoms overlap with other common illness.

Diagnosis of lupus erythematosus requires a physical examination, blood and urine tests, and a skin or kidney biopsy. Some other tests that may need to be run include:

• Antinuclear antibody (ANA)
• CBC with differential
• Chest X-ray
• Serum creatinine
• Urinalysis

Classification

Lupus erythematosus may manifest as systemic disease or in a purely cutaneous form also known as incomplete lupus erythematosus. Lupus has four main types:

• systemic
• discoid
• drug-induced
• neonatal

Of these, systemic lupus erythematosus (also known as SLE) is the most common and serious form.

A more thorough categorization of lupus includes the following types:

• Childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus
• acute cutaneous lupus erythematosus
• subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus
• discoid lupus erythematosus (chronic cutaneous)
  • • childhood discoid lupus erythematosus
    • generalized discoid lupus erythematosus
    • localized discoid lupus erythematosus
  • chilblain lupus erythematosus (Hutchinson)
  • lupus erythematosus-lichen planus overlap syndrome
  • lupus erythematosus panniculitis (lupus erythematosus profundus)
  • tumid lupus erythematosus
  • verrucous lupus erythematosus (hypertrophic lupus erythematosus)
  • cutaneous lupus mucinosis
• complement deficiency syndromes
• drug-induced lupus erythematosus
• neonatal lupus erythematosus
• systemic lupus erythematosus

Treatment

There is still no cure for lupus but there are options to help control symptoms. The goal for treatment is to prevent flare ups and reduce organ damage. Doctors may prescribe a handful of different medications to help with their patients' symptoms.

Some medications are:

• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
• Corticosteroids
• Antimalarial drugs
• BLyS-specific inhibitors
• Immunosuppressive agents/chemotherapy

After being diagnosed some treatment options that may be offered are:

Treatment consists primarily of immunosuppressive drugs (e.g., hydroxychloroquine and corticosteroids). A second-line drug is methotrexate in its low-dose schedule. In 2011, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the first new drug for lupus in more than 50 years to be used in the US, belimumab. In addition to medical therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy has also been demonstrated to be effective in reducing stress, anxiety, and depression due to the psychological and social impacts that lupus may have.

People with SLE treated with standard care experience a higher risk of opportunistic infections and death than the general population. This risk is higher in men and in African Americans.

Epidemiology

Worldwide

• An estimated 5 million people worldwide have some form of lupus disease.
• 70% of lupus cases diagnosed are systemic lupus erythematosus.
• 20% of people with lupus will have a parent or sibling who already has lupus or may develop lupus.
• about 5% of the children born to individuals with lupus will develop the illness.

United Kingdom

• Females in the UK are seven times more likely to be diagnosed with SLE than males.
• The estimated number of females in the UK with SLE is 21,700, and the number of males is 3000 — a total of 24,700, or 0.041% of the population.
• SLE is more common amongst certain ethnic groups than others, especially those of African origin.

United States

• Lupus occurs from infancy to old age, with peak occurrence between ages 15 and 40.
• Lupus affects females in the US 6 to 10 times more often than males.
• Prevalence data are limited. Estimates vary and range from 1.8 to 7.6 cases per 100,000 persons per year in parts of the continental United States.

In popular culture

• In the early seasons of the television show House, members of the eponymous character's medical team often suggested lupus as a diagnosis for their patients, only to be rebuked. The rarity of legitimate lupus diagnoses in the show eventually became described as a running gag.