Lupus Research Paper

Lupus is a chronic inflammatory disease that occurs when the body's immune system attacks its tissues and organs. This is similar to “friendly fire” and can cause permanent scarring that in the end will damage the function of certain organs and systems in the body. There are five different types of Lupus; Discoid lupus erythematosus, Subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus, Drug-induced lupus, Neonatal lupus and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE). However, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) being the most common and typically being considered the most serious, this paper will discuss this type in detail. Systemic Lupus Erythematosus accounts for approximately 70 percent of all cases of lupus (Statistics on Lupus).

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

(SLE) is a chronic disease, it will affect each patient differently, and SLE can range from mild to severe. SLE is an autoimmune disorder that affects 0.1% of the world population (Marquez, Neto 2012). Women between the ages 15-44 are 90% more likely to get Lupus. More so, women of color are 2-3 times more likely to get diagnosed. It is estimated that more than 1.5 million Americans have lupus (“No two Cases are alike”). Symptoms vary among patients and can change often and suddenly. Although not limited to the SLE type, most patients will have times when the disease is active followed by times when the disease is inactive (Ginzler and Tayar, 2015).
There are many issues that SLE can cause in the patients body, for that reason, only a few issues from different areas of the body will be covered below. One of the hallmark signs of SLE is the “butterfly rash” the patients get on the bridge of the nose across both cheeks (“Visualize the effects of Lupus on the body”, n.d.). Patients with SLE tend to be sensitive to sunlight, and can easily sunburn even if only out for short periods of time. SLE can cause patients to lose their hair all over their body (eyebrows, eyelashes, hair on the head, etc.). It is possible however, for the hair to grow back once treatment has started. Most people with lupus experience some sort of skin involvement during the course of their disease. In fact, skin conditions comprise 4 of the 11 criteria used by the American College of Rheumatology for classifying lupus. There are three major types of skin disease specific to lupus and various other non-specific skin manifestations associated with the disease (How lupus affects the body n.d).
Almost every patient that has SLE has swelling and painful joints; arthritis seen in SLE patients typically resembles rheumatoid arthritis.

This is why the medications given for SLE try to help control the pain and swelling of joints. Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) can affect the cardiovascular system. In fact, cardiovascular disease, not lupus itself, is the number one cause of death in people with SLE (How lupus affects the body, n.d.). SLE is a leading cause of premature cardiovascular and kidney disease, and stroke among young women (Lupus fact sheet, n.d). th kidneys have become the most extensively studied organ affect by SLE, because about one half of patients with SLE have issues involving the kidneys. There are five main issues that can occur in a SLE patient with their lungs; Pleuritis, acute lupus pneumonitis, chronic lupus pneumonitis, pulmonary hypertension, and “shrinking lung” syndrome (“Visualize the effects of Lupus on the body”,

n.d.).
SLE most of the time is difficult to diagnose because the symptoms and signs will resemble other conditions. Another important factor relative to diagnosis is the lack of extensive epidemiological studies regarding the incidence and the prevalence of the disease (Marquez, Neto 2012). However, researchers believe that both uncontrollable and control aspects can effect whether a person gets Lupus. It is agreed that, environment, genetics and hormones all take part in whether a person can get Lupus.
Lupus cost treatment is typically covered by insurance, since the medication provided is just to control inflammation and pain.

Depending on whether or not a person has organ damage or not will change the price per year a patient will pay out of pocket. A study reported in October 2008 found that the average annual direct health care cost of patients with lupus was $12,643. The study's authors also determined that the mean annual productivity costs (lost hours of productive work) for participants of employment age (between the ages of 18 and 65) was $8,659. Thus, the mean annual total costs (combining direct costs and productivity costs for subjects of employment age) was $20,924(Statistics on Lupus, n.d.). Lupus costs the United States approximately $20 billion each year in lost wages, disability, and hospitalizations, medical visits, and medication (Wallace

2008).
There is no cure for lupus, and treating SLE can be a difficult. Nevertheless, treatment for SLE has improved a substantial amount. Treatment depends on the type of symptoms the patient has and how serious the symptoms. Patients with muscle or joint pain, fatigue, rashes and other problems that are not dangerous can receive simple treatment. For more severe lupus, or when internal organs are affected, stronger prescription drugs are given to help settle down the immune system and to protect the organs from further attack from the body (Lupus fact sheet n.d).
Prior to the use of corticosteroids and immunosuppressive therapy, which became widely available in 1948, half of persons with lupus died within 2 years, this typically showed which persons had organ versus non-organ damage. Now most patients with SLE will survive at a minimum of 20 years, although their quality of life is not always the best (Wallace 2008).
As with many diseases, the future outlook has gotten considerably better within the last 20 years. A survival study from the early 1950s demonstrated survival rates of less than 50% at five years. In contrast, survival rates of SLE patients from the past decade are greater than 90% at five years and greater than 80% at 20 years (Eder, 2013).
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is the most common of the five types of Lupus, and usually the most serious. SLE can affect many systems of the body, and can cause organ damage. Every patient symptoms will vary and that is why it is very difficult to diagnosis a patient with Lupus. SLE can be mild to severe and that will also determine what type of medicine will be given to the patient. Even though there is still no cure, the future outlook for Lupus patients have gotten considerably better, and will only continue to head in a better direction.