Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)

Of all autoimmune diseases, lupus is one of the most common1. Currently, 0.21%1of the Spanish population is estimated to have Lupus. 90% of these patients are women aged 15 to 55.3

What is lupus?

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease: the defense mechanism attacks itself. This results in excessive blood antibodies, which causes inflammation and damage in joints, muscles, y and others organs.3. There are different types of lupus:

Systemic lupus erythematosus: The most common type of lupus, affecting many parts of the body, including joints, the skin, and the kidneys.

Cutaneous lupus: It only affects the skin, and generally onsets with sun exposure.

Neonatal lupus: This is a rare condition affecting the fetus and infant.4,5.

Drug-induced lupus: Elicited by an excessive reaction to certain medications, which disappears as soon as the treatment is discontinued.

SLE cases have a large impact on patient’s health, as it can be potentially life-threatening if remains untreated.6

How do I know if I have lupus?

The joints, skin, and kidneys have been observed as the areas and organs mostly affected by SLE,3,5 and the most common symptoms in patients include the following:

CC-9507 27 / MARCH 2025.

1. Cortés Verdú R, et al. Prevalence of systemic lupus erythematosus in Spain: higher than previously reported in other countries? Rheumathology 2020; 59:2556–2562 (EPISER) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7449807/pdf/kez668.pdf.

2. The Lupus Foundation of America. Datos y estadísticas sobre el lupus. Disponible en: https://www.lupus.org/es/resources/datos-y-estadisticas-sobre-el-lupus. Último acceso en febrero 2022.

3. Ministerio de Sanidad. Guía de Práctica Clínica sobre Lupus Eritematoso Sistémico. Disponible en:https://portal.guiasalud.es/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/GPC_549_Lupus_SESCS_compl.pdf.

4. FELUPUS. LUPUS: DEFINICIÓN. Disponible en: https://www.felupus.org/que-es-el-lupus/. Último acceso en enero 2022.

5. Lupus Research Alliance. ¿Qué es el lupus?. Disponible en: https://www.lupusresearch.org/en-espanol/acerca-del-lupus/que-es-el-lupus/. Último acceso en enero 2022.

6. Lupus Europe. Lupus FAQs. Disponible en: https://www.lupus-europe.org/faqs/.

This site is registered on wpml.org as a development site.