World Lupus Day

Lupus is a chronic, autoimmune disease. For unknown reasons, the immune system attacks the patient’s own healthy cells. The condition can affect many organs, such as the joints, skin, heart, kidneys, and even the brain. There are four different types of lupus, systemic lupus erythematosus being the most common.

Lupus primarily affects women aged between 20 and 40 years. Though its cause is still uncertain, the condition is likely to be multifactorial in nature: a combination of genetic, hormonal, and environmental factors. A stressful life event, pregnancy, or even sun exposure can possibly trigger the disease onset.

Lupus is characterized by remissions and flares, which vary greatly from one patient to another. The only predictable fact about lupus is its unpredictability, especially during the first five years of the disease according to disease experts.
There is no cure for the condition, just treatments to better control the disease’s signs and symptoms, such as immunosuppressants, chemotherapy drugs, and other agents. Because lupus is so unpredictable, the treatment should always be focused on the patient’s individual needs.

Experts are still searching for a definite cure, with several research centers conducting clinical trials on different molecules. The microbiome is also being investigated. According to Dr. Chiche from Lupus Living Lab (Marseille), an imbalance within the microbiome can possibly trigger the disease’s initial phase.