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Definition

By Mayo Clinic staff

Lupus is a chronic inflammatory disease that occurs when your body's immune system attacks your own tissues and organs. Inflammation caused by lupus can affect many different body systems, including your joints, skin, kidneys, blood cells, heart and lungs.

Lupus occurs more frequently in women, though it isn't clear why. Four types of lupus exist — systemic lupus erythematosus, discoid lupus erythematosus, drug-induced lupus erythematosus and neonatal lupus. Of these, systemic lupus erythematosus is the most common and serious form of lupus.

The outlook for people with lupus was once grim, but diagnosis and treatment of lupus has improved considerably. With treatment, most people with lupus can lead active lives.

Symptoms
References
  1. Lupus: Frequently asked questions. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women's Health. http://www.womenshealth.gov/FAQ/lupus.cfm. Accessed Aug. 15, 2009.
  2. Schur PH, et al. Overview of the therapy and prognosis of systemic lupus erythematosus in adults. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Aug. 15, 2009.
  3. Tassiulas LO, et al. Clinical Features and Treatment of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. In: Firestein GS, et al. Kelley's Textbook of Rheumatology. 8th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: W.B. Saunders Elsevier; 2008. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/154314781-10/0/1807/557.html?tocnode=55733251&fromURL=557.html#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-3285-4..10075-0_2714. Accessed Aug. 15, 2009.
  4. What causes lupus? Lupus Foundation. http://www.lupus.org/webmodules/webarticlesnet/templates/new_learnunderstanding.aspx?articleid=2233&zoneid=523. Accessed Aug. 15, 2009.
  5. Arthritis types - Overview. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/ARTHRITIS/arthritis/lupus.htm. Accessed Aug. 15, 2009.
  6. Schur PH, et al. Epidemiology and pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Aug. 15, 2009.
  7. Crow MK. Systemic lupus erythematosus. In: Goldman L, et al., eds. Goldman: Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/153983706-6/874640406/1492/1029.html#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-2805-5..50292-5--cesec51_12990. Accessed Aug. 15, 2009.
  8. Schur PH, et al. Diagnosis and differential diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus in adults. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Aug. 15, 2009.
  9. Handout on health: Systemic lupus erythematosus. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Lupus/default.asp. Accessed Aug. 15, 2009.
  10. Living with lupus. Lupus Foundation of America. http://www.lupus.org/webmodules/webarticlesnet/templates/new_empty.aspx?articleid=381&zoneid=76. Accessed Aug. 15, 2009.
  11. Omega-3 supplements: An introduction. National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. http://nccam.nih.gov/health/omega3/introduction.htm. Accessed Aug. 15, 2009.
  12. Depression. Lupus Foundation of America. http://www.lupus.org/webmodules/webarticlesnet/templates/new_aboutindividualized.aspx?articleid=92&zoneid=18. Accessed Aug. 15, 2009.
  13. Appel GB, et al. Secondary glomerular disease. In: Brenner BM, et al. Brenner and Rector's the Kidney. 8th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/book/player/book.do?method=display&type=bookPage&decorator=header&eid=4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-3105-5..50033-5&displayedEid=4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-3105-5..50033-5--cesec12&uniq=154314781&isbn=978-1-4160-3105-5&sid=875062230. Accessed Aug. 15, 2009.
  14. The renal (kidney) system. Lupus Foundation of America. http://www.lupus.org/webmodules/webarticlesnet/templates/new_learnaffects.aspx?articleid=2297&zoneid=526. Accessed Aug. 20, 2009.
  15. Bernatsky S. Mortality in systemic lupus erythematosus. Arthritis and Rheumatism. 2006;54:2550.
  16. Ferri F. Systemic lupus erythematosus. In: Ferri FF. Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2009. St. Louis, Mo.: Mosby; 2008. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/155313268-4/877420981/1701/572.html#4-u1.0-B978-0-323-04134-8..50022-7--subchapter46_12136. Accessed Aug. 20, 2009.
  17. Infections and immunizations. Lupus Foundation of America. http://www.lupus.org/webmodules/webarticlesnet/templates/new_aboutliving.aspx?a=93&z=16&page=2.com. Accessed Aug. 20, 2009.
  18. Lupus research institute highly encouraged by Benlysta trial results. Lupus Research Institute. http://www.lupusresearchinstitute.org/node/593. Accessed Sept. 1, 2009.
  19. Chang-Miller A (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Sept. 1, 2009.

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