LUPUS
STATS

 

  • More people have lupus than cerebral palsy, cystic fibrosis and MS combined.
  • It is estimated that almost 2,000,000 Americans have been diagnosed with lupus.
  • It is estimated that there are over 30,000 Britons with lupus.
  • It is estimated that there are 50,000 Canadians with lupus.
  • More than 16,000 Americans develop lupus each year.
  • Women are 9 times more likely to develop lupus than men.
  • There are over 50 known autoimmune disorders, of which lupus is one.
  • Lupus occurs in 1 out of every 600 Caucasian women, 1 out of every 450 Latin women and 1 out of every 200 African-American women.
  • The average age of the lupus patient is 15-45 years old.
  • An estimated .4%-5% of relatives of a lupus patient may themselves develop lupus.
  • In the 1950&rsquos, only 50% of lupus patients lived 4 years after diagnosis.
  • The latest studies show a 76%-90% survival rate 10 years after diagnosis.
  • 90% of lupus patients live a normal lifespan.
  • Anywhere from 5%-40% of lupus patients will have a negative ANA (antinuclear antibodies) test result.
  • Only 20% of lupus patients test positive for RF (rheumatoid factor).
  • Approximately 60-65% of Lupus patients will have skin involvement, including malar rashes and disoid lesions.
  • Infections, particularly in the bladder, can mimic lupus flares. They need
    distinguishing from flares, and should be treated appropriately.
  • Approximately 10% of cutaneous lupus patients will develop SLE.
  • Approximately 30% of SLE patients will develop lupus nephritis. (More will have less severe kidney involvement.)
  • Approximately 30% of lupus patients will develop heart and/or lung problems such as pleurisy or pericarditis.
  • Approximately 80% of SLE patients will have a neuro-psychiatric systemic lupus with symptoms such as seizures, memory loss, headaches, and even psychosis or depression.
  • Women with lupus have an increased risk of developing heart disease.
  • 40%-60% of lupus patients have some form of photosensitivity.
  • 25%-50% of women with lupus miscarry during pregnancy.
  • 20% of those lupus patients who do not miscarry, will likely deliver before 37 weeks.
  • 20% of all lupus flares during pregnancy are to women who were previously undiagnosed with SLE.
  • 5%-12% of children of lupus patients may develop it themselves.
  • If one identical twin has lupus then the other has a 25% chance of
    having it too.
  • If one non-identical twin has lupus then the other has an
    8% chance of having it too.


    • S T A T  S - Patients with LUPUS

    FREQUENCY:

    • USA:
      Incidence 1.4 to 7 per 1000 in USA & Europe.
      3 to 5 new cases of Lupus arise each year per 10,000 population.

    • Internationally:
      Incidence is 12-39 lupus diagnoses per 100,000 people.
      Estimates of incidence and prevalence are hampered by inconsistencies in application of diagnostic criteria and selection bias.

      MORTALITY -- MORBIDITY:

    • With full access to medical care, 10-year survival is 77%-85% and
      20-year is 70%.
      Stroke, cerebral vasculitis, spinal cord injury, and infection all increase the risk of mortality.

      RACE:

    • Lupus is found in all ethnic groups and races; referral bias complicates any assessment of relative prevalence.
      Susceptibility genes, which may increase the risk of SLE, vary across ethnic populations.

      SEX:

    • As with most autoimmune disorders, Lupus shows a strong female predominance (as high as 5:1 during childbearing years).

      AGE:

    • All age groups are affected; however, peak incidence is in young adulthood.
      Clinical onset, and often diagnosis of lupus often coincides with menarche, pregnancy, postpartum, or menopause (all of which involve hormonal upsets).