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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2 hours ago

😨 Did you miss our #EULAR2025 debrief webinar?

😮‍💨 Don't worry! You can watch the full session at your convenience.

Catch up on all the insights shared by many of the presenters, as well as some of our volunteers and PAN members, on our Facebook page!

www.facebook.com/LupusEurope/videos/1257813502412444
... See MoreSee Less

😨 Did you miss our #EULAR2025 debrief webinar?

😮‍💨 Dont worry! You can watch the full session at your convenience.

Catch up on all the insights shared by many of the presenters, as well as some of our volunteers and PAN members, on our Facebook page!

https://www.facebook.com/LupusEurope/videos/1257813502412444
3 days ago

‼️ According to our "Living with Lupus in 2020" survey, 𝐔𝐕 𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐤𝐬 𝐚𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐛𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐬𝐲𝐦𝐩𝐭𝐨𝐦𝐬 for those with lupus.

😱 In fact, 𝟔𝟖.𝟓% of respondents reported experiencing sun sensitivity, making it a significant concern for many.

💥 UV sensitivity can greatly limit daily activities and impact the quality of life for people with lupus. Here are a few examples:

🏗️ 𝐎𝐮𝐭𝐝𝐨𝐨𝐫 𝐣𝐨𝐛𝐬: Those who work outdoors, such as in construction, agriculture, or any job requiring prolonged sun exposure, often struggle to manage their symptoms.

The need to stay covered and protected from the sun can make these jobs particularly challenging.

🏖️ 𝐅𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞: UV light can significantly impact social and family life for individuals with lupus.

Activities such as spending a day at the beach, attending park outings, enjoying barbecues, and participating in festivals or outdoor events become challenging due to the need for constant sun protection.

This often means seeking shade, wearing protective clothing, and applying sunscreen regularly, which can limit spontaneity and enjoyment.

For some patients, the sensitivity to UV light is so severe that they cannot attend these events at all, as exposure could trigger a lupus flare, further limiting their ability to engage in social and family activities.

🔊 Join us this month as we share tips and strategies to manage UV sensitivity and protect yourself from the sun.

😊 Share your experiences and how you #KickLupus & UV light in your daily life
... See MoreSee Less

‼️ According to our Living with Lupus in 2020 survey, 𝐔𝐕 𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐤𝐬 𝐚𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐛𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐬𝐲𝐦𝐩𝐭𝐨𝐦𝐬 for those with lupus. 

😱 In fact, 𝟔𝟖.𝟓% of respondents reported experiencing sun sensitivity, making it a significant concern for many.

💥 UV sensitivity can greatly limit daily activities and impact the quality of life for people with lupus. Here are a few examples:

🏗️ 𝐎𝐮𝐭𝐝𝐨𝐨𝐫 𝐣𝐨𝐛𝐬: Those who work outdoors, such as in construction, agriculture, or any job requiring prolonged sun exposure, often struggle to manage their symptoms. 

The need to stay covered and protected from the sun can make these jobs particularly challenging.

🏖️ 𝐅𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞: UV light can significantly impact social and family life for individuals with lupus. 

Activities such as spending a day at the beach, attending park outings, enjoying barbecues, and participating in festivals or outdoor events become challenging due to the need for constant sun protection. 

This often means seeking shade, wearing protective clothing, and applying sunscreen regularly, which can limit spontaneity and enjoyment. 

For some patients, the sensitivity to UV light is so severe that they cannot attend these events at all, as exposure could trigger a lupus flare, further limiting their ability to engage in social and family activities. 

🔊 Join us this month as we share tips and strategies to manage UV sensitivity and protect yourself from the sun. 

😊 Share your experiences and how you #KickLupus & UV light in your daily lifeImage attachment
6 days ago

🟣 Phase 2 of LUPUS-ALERT is now complete!

Thanks to the incredible contributions of patients and healthcare professionals from around the world, we are one step closer to creating a tool that will screen for vulnerabilities people may face during lupus care.

🔍 LUPUS-ALERT is a project co-developed by patients and clinicians that will systematically screen for vulnerabilities that can impact lupus management:

🔷 Associated conditions
🔷 Comorbidities
🔷 Social and economic context
🔷 Challenges and barriers — like language, access to medication, or distance to care

🙌 Thank you to everyone who has helped shape this project so far. Your input is helping shape a more equitable and person-centred future for lupus care.

💜 A very special thank you to Prof Laurent Arnaud and Dr Guimarães de Oliveira for their commitment and dedication throughout this process!

📌 Stay tuned — more to come soon!
... See MoreSee Less

🟣 Phase 2 of LUPUS-ALERT is now complete!

Thanks to the incredible contributions of patients and healthcare professionals from around the world, we are one step closer to creating a tool that will screen for vulnerabilities people may face during lupus care.

🔍 LUPUS-ALERT is a project co-developed by patients and clinicians that will systematically screen for vulnerabilities that can impact lupus management:

🔷 Associated conditions
🔷 Comorbidities
🔷 Social and economic context
🔷 Challenges and barriers — like language, access to medication, or distance to care

🙌 Thank you to everyone who has helped shape this project so far. Your input is helping shape a more equitable and person-centred future for lupus care.

💜 A very special thank you to Prof Laurent Arnaud and Dr Guimarães de Oliveira for their commitment and dedication throughout this process!

📌 Stay tuned — more to come soon!
1 week ago

🌟Thank you to all who attended our #EULAR2025 debrief webinar!

🙌 Especially to our presenters, volunteers & PAN members who shared their insights & experiences.

Stay tuned for more news and updates & don't forget to subscribe to our newsletter! www.lupus-europe.org/emails/
... See MoreSee Less