Also called: Also called: Discoid lupus, SLE, Subacute cutaneous lupus, Systemic lupus erythematosus
If you have lupus, your immune system attacks healthy cells and tissues by mistake. This can damage your joints, skin, blood vessels and organs. There are many kinds of lupus. The most common type, systemic lupus erythematosus, affects many parts of the body. Discoid lupus causes a rash that doesn't go away. Subacute cutaneous lupus causes sores after being out in the sun. Another type can be caused by medication. Neonatal lupus, which is rare, affects newborns.
Anyone can get lupus, but women are most at risk. Lupus is also more common in African American, Hispanic, Asian and Native American women. The cause of lupus is not known.
Lupus has many symptoms. Some common ones are
- Joint pain or swelling
- Muscle pain
- Fever with no known cause
- Red rashes, often on the face (also called the "butterfly rash")
There is no one test to diagnose lupus, and it may take months or years to make the diagnosis. There is no cure for lupus, but medicines and lifestyle changes can help control it.
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases
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Lupus(Patient Education Institute) - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/tutorials/lupus/htm/index.htm
Also available in Spanish http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/spanish/tutorials/lupusspanish/htm/index.htm
- Systemic Lupus Erythematosus(National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases) - http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Lupus/default.asp
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What Is Lupus?(National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases) - http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Lupus/lupus_ff.asp
Also available in Spanish http://www.niams.nih.gov/Portal_En_Espanol/Informacion_de_Salud/Lupus/default.asp
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Do I Have Lupus?(National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases) - http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Lupus/do_i_have_lupus.asp
Also available in Spanish http://www.niams.nih.gov/Portal_En_Espanol/Informacion_de_Salud/Lupus/tengo_lupus_espanol.asp
- Frequently Asked Questions about Lupus(Lupus Foundation of America) - http://www.lupus.org/webmodules/webarticlesnet/templates/new_aboutfaq.aspx?articleid=16&zoneid=19
- Lupus(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/lupus/DS00115/DSECTION=all&METHOD=print
- Lupus: Patient Information(National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases) - http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Lupus/Lupus_Guide/chapter_7.asp
- Older Age Increases Risk of Clot in Lupus Patients(02/04/2009, Reuters Health) - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_75079.html
- Attention to Bones Important in Women with Lupus(12/26/2008, Reuters Health) - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_73211.html
- Subtle Brain Deficits Seen in Lupus Patients(12/25/2008, Reuters Health) - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_73187.html
- More News on Lupus http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/alphanews_l.html#lupus
- ANA (Antinuclear Antibody Test)(American Association for Clinical Chemistry) - http://www.labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/ana/test.html
- Diagnosis of Lupus(Lupus Foundation of America) - http://www.lupus.org/webmodules/webarticlesnet/templates/new_aboutintroduction.aspx?articleid=75&zoneid=9
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Laboratory Tests Used in the Diagnosis of Lupus(Lupus Foundation of America) - http://www.lupus.org/webmodules/webarticlesnet/templates/new_aboutdiagnosis.aspx?articleid=364&zoneid=15
Also available in Spanish http://www.lupus.org/webmodules/webarticlesnet/templates/new_aboutlanguages.aspx?articleid=393&zoneid=21
- Symptoms of Lupus(Lupus Foundation of America) - http://www.lupus.org/webmodules/webarticlesnet/templates/new_aboutintroduction.aspx?articleid=74&zoneid=9
- Arthritis Today's Drug Guide(Arthritis Foundation) - http://www.arthritis.org/drug-guide.php
- Immune Suppressants and Lupus(Lupus Foundation of America) - http://www.lupus.org/webmodules/webarticlesnet/templates/new_aboutdiagnosis.aspx?articleid=88&zoneid=15
- NSAIDs (Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs) and Lupus(Lupus Foundation of America) - http://www.lupus.org/webmodules/webarticlesnet/templates/new_aboutdiagnosis.aspx?articleid=85&zoneid=15
- Steroids in the Treatment of Lupus(Lupus Foundation of America) - http://www.lupus.org/webmodules/webarticlesnet/templates/new_aboutdiagnosis.aspx?articleid=86&zoneid=15
- Thunder God Vine(National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine) - http://nccam.nih.gov/health/tgvine/
- Depression and Lupus(Lupus Foundation of America) - http://www.lupus.org/webmodules/webarticlesnet/templates/new_aboutliving.aspx?articleid=92&zoneid=16
- Psychosocial Aspects of Lupus(National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases) - http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Lupus/Lupus_Guide/chapter_6.asp
- Lupus: Basics for Better Living(Lupus Foundation of America) - http://www.lupus.org/webmodules/webarticlesnet/templates/new_aboutliving.aspx?articleid=91&zoneid=16
- Discoid Lupus Erythematosus(American Osteopathic College of Dermatology) - http://www.aocd.org/skin/dermatologic_diseases/discoid_lupus_eryt.html
- Drug-Induced Lupus(Lupus Foundation of America) - http://www.lupus.org/webmodules/webarticlesnet/templates/new_aboutaffects.aspx?articleid=377&zoneid=17
- Antiphospholipid Antibodies and Lupus(Lupus Foundation of America) - http://www.lupus.org/webmodules/webarticlesnet/templates/new_aboutaffects.aspx?articleid=82&zoneid=17
- How Lupus Affects the Body(Lupus Foundation of America) - http://www.lupus.org/webmodules/webarticlesnet/templates/new_aboutaffects.aspx?articleid=14&zoneid=17
- Immune System and Its Link to Rheumatic Diseases(American College of Rheumatology) - http://www.rheumatology.org/public/factsheets/diseases_and_conditions/immunesystem.asp
- Lupus and Infections and Immunizations(Lupus Foundation of America) - http://www.lupus.org/webmodules/webarticlesnet/templates/new_aboutliving.aspx?articleid=93&zoneid=16
- Lupus and the Skin(American Academy of Dermatology) - http://www.aad.org/public/publications/pamphlets/common_lupus.html
- Lupus Nephritis(National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases) - http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/kudiseases/pubs/lupusnephritis/
- Neurological Sequelae of Lupus(National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke) - http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/lupus/lupus.htm
- Photosensitivity and Lupus(Lupus Foundation of America) - http://www.lupus.org/webmodules/webarticlesnet/templates/new_aboutdiagnosis.aspx?articleid=94&zoneid=15
- What People with Lupus Need to Know about Osteoporosis(National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases) - http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Bone/Osteoporosis/Conditions_Behaviors/osteoporosis_lupus.asp
- Discoid Lupus Erythematosus(Logical Images) - http://www.visualdxhealth.com/adult/discoidLupusErythematosus.htm
- Systemic Lupus Erythematosus(Logical Images) - http://www.visualdxhealth.com/adult/systemicLupusErythematosus.htm
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Lupus(Patient Education Institute) - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/tutorials/lupus/htm/index.htm
Also available in Spanish http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/spanish/tutorials/lupusspanish/htm/index.htm
- ClinicalTrials.gov: Lupus Erythematosus, Discoid(National Institutes of Health) - http://clinicaltrials.gov/search/open/condition=%22Lupus+Erythematosus,+Discoid%22
- ClinicalTrials.gov: Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic(National Institutes of Health) - http://clinicaltrials.gov/search/open/condition=%22Lupus+Erythematosus,+Systemic%22
- Scientists Identify Possible Lupus Susceptibility Gene(National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases) - http://www.niams.nih.gov/News_and_Events/Spotlight_on_Research/2006/lupus_susceptibility_gene.asp
- Biomarkers May Predict, and Corticosteroids Prevent, Severe Lupus Flares(National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases) - http://www.niams.nih.gov/News_and_Events/Spotlight_on_Research/2007/lupus_flares.asp
- Researchers Correlate Clinical Criteria and Associated Antibodies in Lupus Patients(National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases) - http://www.niams.nih.gov/News_and_Events/Spotlight_on_Research/2008/Autoantibodies_Lupus.asp
- Study Indicates Significant Work Loss Associated with Lupus(National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases) - http://www.niams.nih.gov/News_and_Events/Spotlight_on_Research/2007/work_lupus.asp
- Article: Expanded double negative T cells in patients with systemic lupus... - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=19050297&tool=MedlinePlus
- Article: Steroid-sparing effects of methotrexate in systemic lupus erythematosus: a double-blind,... - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=19035431&tool=MedlinePlus
- Article: Health care costs and costs associated with changes in work... - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=19035422&tool=MedlinePlus
- Lupus -- see more articles - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=search&db=pubmed&term=lupus+erythematosus,systemic[majr]+AND+english[la]+AND+humans[mh]+AND+(jsubsetk[text]+OR+review[pt]+OR+guideline[pt]+OR+patient+education+handout[pt]+OR+clinical+trial[pt]+OR+jsubsetaim[text]+OR+jsubsetn[text])+NOT+(editorial[pt]+OR+case+reports[pt]+OR+letter[pt])&doptcmdl=summary&cmd_current=Limits&pmfilter_EDatLimit=last+1+Year&tool=MedlinePlus
- Cutaneous and discoid lupus -- see more articles - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=search&db=pubmed&term=lupus+erythematosus,cutaneous[majr]+AND+english[la]+AND+humans[mh]+NOT+(letter[pt]+OR+editorial[pt])&doptcmdl=summary&cmd_current=Limits&pmfilter_EDatLimit=last+1+Year&tool=MedlinePlus
- American College of Rheumatology: Geographic Membership Directory(American College of Rheumatology) - http://www.rheumatology.org/directory/geo.asp
- Lupus Foundation of America Chapter Locator(Lupus Foundation of America) - http://www.lupus.org/webmodules/webarticlesnet/templates/new_empty.aspx?articleid=277&zoneid=76
- Alliance for Lupus Research - http://www.lupusresearch.org/
- Lupus Foundation of America - http://www.lupus.org/
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National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases - http://www.niams.nih.gov/
Also available in Spanish http://www.niams.nih.gov/Portal_En_Espanol/
- Lupus Now Research Update(Lupus Foundation of America) - http://www.lupus.org/webmodules/webarticlesnet/templates/new_researchupdates.aspx?articleid=152&zoneid=33
- Arthritis Types: Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE or Lupus)(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) - http://www.cdc.gov/arthritis/arthritis/lupus.htm
- Eliminate Disparities in Lupus(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) - http://www.cdc.gov/omhd/AMH/factsheets/lupus.htm
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Childhood Lupus(Lupus Foundation of America) - http://www.lupus.org/webmodules/webarticlesnet/templates/new_aboutindividualized03.aspx?articleid=315&zoneid=87
Also available in Spanish http://www.lupus.org/webmodules/webarticlesnet/templates/new_aboutlanguages.aspx?articleid=398&zoneid=21
- Life with Lupus(Nemours Foundation) - http://kidshealth.org/kid/health_problems/bone/life_with_lupus.html
- Living with Lupus(Nemours Foundation) - http://kidshealth.org/parent/medical/arthritis/lupus.html
- Lupus(Nemours Foundation) - http://kidshealth.org/teen/diseases_conditions/bones/lupus.html
- How Lupus Differs in Men(Lupus Foundation of America) - http://www.lupus.org/webmodules/webarticlesnet/templates/new_aboutindividualized02.aspx?articleid=405&zoneid=86
- Pregnancy & Rheumatic Disease(American College of Rheumatology) - http://www.rheumatology.org/public/factsheets/diseases_and_conditions/pregnancy.asp
- Pregnancy and Lupus(Lupus Foundation of America) - http://www.lupus.org/webmodules/webarticlesnet/templates/new_aboutindividualized01.aspx?articleid=314&zoneid=89
- Late Onset Lupus(Lupus Foundation of America) - http://www.lupus.org/webmodules/webarticlesnet/templates/new_aboutindividualized.aspx?articleid=111&zoneid=18
- Immune System - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/immunesystem.html
The primary NIH organization for research on Lupus is the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases - http://www.niams.nih.gov/