FAQs

FAQs

Lupus is a widespread, chronic autoimmune disease that, for unknown reasons, causes the immune system to attack the body’s own connective tissues and organs. These can include joints, kidneys, heart, lungs, brain, blood, muscles and skin. To find out more, go to Lupus100

There are an estimated 350,000 people in Europe with lupus. More than five million people are affected worldwide.

Nine out of ten of those affected are women.

80% of the newly diagnosed are between the ages of 15 and 45.

Certain ethnicities are more likely to develop lupus than others.

No-one knows the true causes of lupus. However genetic and environmental factors play a role. For example, some known triggers are photosensitivity, smoking, cardio-vascular diseases, etc.
To find out more, go to Lupus100

Symptoms include fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, rashes, hair loss (alopecia), swollen glands, sensitivity to light (photosensitivity), joint pain, pericarditis, pleurisy, kidney disease, cognitive problems and others.

No two cases of lupus are the same. Symptoms and severity differ from person to person and even from day to day.

To find out more, go to Lupus100

There is no cure for lupus. Typical treatments include fast-acting steroids (like Prednisolone), which are usually used for the shortest possible period or at the lowest possible dose, together with maintenance medication which acts longer-term, such as anti-malarials, to which immunosuppressants can be added when needed. In June 2012, Belimumab became the first EMA-approved lupus drug treatment in over 50 years. With good management and adherence to medication, lupus can be well controlled for the majority of people.

If left untreated, lupus is potentially fatal. Lupus can lead to organ damage and failure. Serious conditions that can arise include kidney disease, pancreatitis, pleurisy, vasculitis, pericarditis, and cancer.

To find out more, go to Lupus100

Lupus is one of Europe’s less known chronic, serious diseases. While lupus is rare in some European countries, it is less so in others. Awareness and accurate knowledge about it lags decades behind many other illnesses.

Being a knowledgeable partner in the doctor-patient relationship will help you to self-manage your lupus better and have a better quality of life.

Living a full life with lupus is possible for some, but doing so relies heavily on early diagnosis and consistent treatment.

Studies have produced estimates, that approximately 1 – 8 people per 100,000 are diagnosed with lupus each year.

There are many treatments for lupus’ symptoms, but there is no cure… at least not yet!

Lupus is a widespread, chronic autoimmune disease that, for unknown reasons, causes the immune system to attack the body’s own connective tissues and organs. These can include joints, kidneys, heart, lungs, brain, blood, muscles and skin.

There are an estimated 500,000 people in Europe with lupus (EULAR). More than five million people are affected worldwide.

Nine out of ten of those affected are women.

80% of the newly diagnosed are between the ages of 15 and 45.

Certain ethnicities are more likely to develop lupus than others.

No-one knows the true causes of lupus. However genetic and environmental factors play a role. For example, some known triggers are photosensitivity, smoking, cardio-vascular diseases, etc.

Symptoms include fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, rashes, hair loss (alopecia), swollen glands, sensitivity to light (photosensitivity), joint pain, pericarditis, pleurisy, kidney disease, cognitive problems and others.

No two cases of lupus are the same. Symptoms and severity differ from person to person and even from day to day.

There is no cure for lupus. Typical treatments include fast-acting steroids (like Prednisolone), which are usually used for the shortest possible period or at the lowest possible dose, together with maintenance medication which acts longer-term, such as anti-malarials, to which immunosuppressants can be added when needed. In June 2012, Benlysta became the first EMA-approved lupus drug treatment in over 50 years. With good management and adherence to medication, lupus can be well controlled for the majority of people.

If left untreated, lupus is potentially fatal. Lupus can lead to organ damage and failure. Serious conditions that can arise include kidney disease, pancreatitis, pleurisy, vasculitis, pericarditis, and cancer.

Lupus is one of Europe’s less known chronic, serious diseases. While lupus is rare in some European countries, it is less so in others. Awareness and accurate knowledge about it lags decades behind many other illnesses.

Being a knowledgeable partner in the doctor-patient relationship will help you to self-manage your lupus better and have a better quality of life.

Living a full life with lupus is possible for some, but doing so relies heavily on early diagnosis and consistent treatment.

Studies have produced estimates, that approximately 1 – 8 people per 100,000 are diagnosed with lupus each year.

There are many treatments for lupus’ symptoms, but there is no cure… at least not yet!

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☹️ Does joint pain affect your daily life? You are not alone.

💁‍♀️ According to Lupus Europe’s 2024 Swiss Knife Survey, joint pain and/or swelling were reported by 𝟳𝟮.𝟴% 𝗼𝗳 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗦𝗟𝗘. It was also one of the symptoms 𝗺𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲𝗹𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗽 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝘂𝗹𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘁, reported by 44.6% of respondents.

🦋 #Lupus is a systemic autoimmune disease that can affect different parts of the body, including the joints.

💜 Today is World Aimmune Autoinflammatory Arthritis Day, also known as #AiArthritisDay.
It is a day to raise awareness of autoimmune and autoinflammatory diseases, such as lupus, that can involve joint inflammation.

❌ But lupus is not “just joint pain”.

‼️ Lupus can affect the whole body. That’s why it is important that symptoms such as pain, fatigue, swelling, stiffness, and their impact on daily life are discussed clearly during medical appointments.

💬 To help with these conversations, take a look at the 𝗟𝘂𝗽𝘂𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗱𝘀: a practical tool to help people living with lupus prepare for appointments and explain what matters most to them.

Inspired by NVLE and in collaboration with ERN RECONNET, these cards are available in 19 languages (more to come!).

📥 Download them here and make your consultation count: www.lupus-europe.org/lupus-consultation-cards/

#MakeItCount
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☹️ Does joint pa

🗨️ Lupus affects men, too! And its impact can be different from women’s, both physically and mentally.

‼️ From symptoms to how it is experienced and expressed, men living with lupus may face challenges that are not always recognised or addressed in consultation.

💁‍♂️ That's why we have created the Lupus Consultation Cards adapted for men: designed to help prepare for consultations, prioritise concerns, and make sure what matters most is addressed.

🌍 Available in 18 languages!
📥 Download for free and make your consultation count: www.lupus-europe.org/lupus-consultation-cards/

🟣 #MakeItCount
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😱 New tool for lupus!

✅ Lupus Europe proudly presents the Lupus Consultation Cards: a tool designed to help both patients and healthcare professionals structure consultations, prioritise what matters to patients, and support more focused discussions.

Because lupus is complex, and consultation time is limited.

✔️ Set your priorities
✔️ Organise your thoughts
✔️ Focus the conversation

🌍 Available in 18 languages
📥 Download for free or fill it in online: www.lupus-europe.org/lupus-consultation-cards/

🟣 #makeitcount
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🟪 Consultations don’t always leave enough time to cover everything that matters.

😩 Symptoms, concerns, and questions can quickly become overwhelming when living with lupus.

🍀 The Lupus Consultation Cards are designed to help you come prepared, prioritise what matters, and make the most of your time with your doctor.

✔️ Set your priorities
✔️ Organise your thoughts
✔️ Focus the conversation

🌍 Available in 18 languages
🔗 Download them for free: www.lupus-europe.org/lupus-consultation-cards/

🟣 Make your consultation count.
#MakeItCount
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