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Lupus (systemic lupus erythematosus)

Patunga pūnaha awhikiri

Lupus is an autoimmune condition. In these types of conditions, the body's immune system produces antibodies that attack a person's healthy tissue as if it was a foreign body, like bacteria or a virus. Lupus is a complex condition that affects different people in different ways. It may affect joints and skin. It can also affect blood vessels and internal organs.

Around 1 in every 900 people in New Zealand is diagnosed with lupus. It is more common in Māori and Pacific peoples and in other ethnic groups with darker skin. It can occur in men, women and children, but it is much more common in women.

What causes lupus is unknown. Genetic factors and female hormones may play a part. Possible environmental triggers include infections, exposure to the sun and stress.

Symptoms and signs of lupus

Lupus has many symptoms and can show in different ways, so it can be very hard to diagnose. It can also seem like several other conditions. Key symptoms of lupus include:

If you have some of these symptoms, visit your general practice team. Your general practice team will ask questions and may examine you. They may also perform blood tests and check your blood pressure and urine. If they feel that you might have lupus, they are likely to refer you to a rheumatologist.

Treating lupus

There is no cure for lupus, but you can manage and control it with medication and lifestyle changes.

You will sometimes have a flare-up of symptoms. Environmental factors such as hormones and hormonal contraception, and sunlight and UV light can trigger flare-ups. So can certain medications.

You can find out more about lupus through the following links.

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Written by HealthInfo clinical advisers. Last reviewed July 2024.

Sources

See also:

Immunosuppression

Medications for inflammatory arthritis

Page reference: 78715

Review key: HILUP-78715