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May 10th is World Lupus Day

What is lupus?

Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease that causes the immune system to attack the body’s connective tissue and organs. Parts of the body affected can include the joints, kidneys, heart, lungs, brain, blood and skin.

Up to 500,000 people in Europe have lupus. 90% of people with lupus are women and 80% of diagnoses are made between the ages of 15 and 45.

Symptoms can vary. The less severe ones include rashes, hair loss (alopecia), swollen glands, photosensitivity, joint pain and ulcers in the mouth or nose. In more severe cases, lupus may cause pleurisy, pericarditis, psychosis, meningitis, epilepsy or kidney failure. In young women, lupus can cause miscarriage or premature delivery.

If lupus affects vital organs and is left untreated it can be potentially fatal as it may cause organ damage and failure. Fortunately, in most cases, treatment puts lupus into remission before that can happen.

Great progress has been made developing treatment plans that considerably reduce lupus activity for most patients, however there is no cure yet! Typical treatment may include antimalarials (hydroxychloroquine), steroids (prednisolone), non-steroidal anti-inflammatories, and immuno-suppressants. Many patients do well on current medication but patients with more severe forms of lupus need more treatment options and solutions which reduce the current reliance on cortisone and its many long term side-effects. A complete treatment plan should also include physical exercise which is proven to have positive effects on fatigue, pain and mental health.

In March 2011, a new biological treatment became the first FDA-approved lupus drug treatment in over 50 years, however, is only used in limited cases due to its high cost. Several new treatments are now in the research and development process, but lupus research remains challenging because the disease itself is so multifaceted and complex in origin, with a mixture of genetic, environmental and other factors that has yet to be understood.

For most patients, living a full life with lupus is now possible, thanks to increasingly accepted standards of care, but this relies on early diagnosis, consistent treatment prescribed by a lupus specialist, and adherence to medication. Getting back to an active professional life may present a challenge for some but many people are able to return once their lupus is well controlled. Most women who want to start a family will also be able to if they plan their pregnancy carefully, with specialist supervision.

lupus europe

What is LUPUS EUROPE?

LUPUS EUROPE is an umbrella organisation that federates national lupus groups across Europe. It represents 26 groups (between 15-6,000 members), in 24 countries (33,000 people in all). It was first formed in 2000 (formerly known as ELEF).

LUPUS EUROPE’s activities include raising awareness, sharing information between members and countries, empowering national groups, and helping members participate in and benefit from research. Over the years, LUPUS EUROPE has fought hard for patient-centred care and the inclusion of patient organisations as valued healthcare stakeholders.

 

kick lupus poster with logo

The Kick Lupus campaign – Why ‘Kick Lupus’?

The campaign ‘Kick Lupus!’ focuses on the need for the development of better treatments, increased awareness about the disease’s impact, and management options for patients, carers and health professionals.

Kick-starting a better life – adhere to treatment: Not taking medication or taking it incorrectly is the #1 reason why treatment doesn’t work. Treatment is critical to living well with lupus. Know your pills, and follow your doctor’s advice. Doing so will help you kick your lupus!

Kicking ideas around – patient/doctor communication is key: We will only win in lupus if we work together as a team. The Doctor/Patient relationship is crucial: agreeing on treatment plans, working together on new treatment options, and participating in research to better kick lupus into oblivion!

Kicking yourself into shape: physical activity reduces tiredness and pain: It has been scientifically proven that physical activity helps reduce fatigue and pain. This is also true for people with lupus. It can be hard to exercise at first but it soon starts to pay. Exercise regularly, gradually increasing difficulty and endurance. A key component in kicking lupus!

Kicking lupus awareness into midfield: volunteer in your local group: You are not alone. Many of us are trying to kick lupus, and we need to move together, cheering each other on when we feel the burden – helping each other when we can. All our member organisations need volunteers to increase awareness and take projects forwards, kicking lupus together!

Help us Kick lupus NOW! Take your first steps today. You can find the list of local member groups on the LUPUS EUROPE Website (www.lupus-europe.org).

 

 

 

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1 week ago
LUPUS EUROPE

🚨 Call for patients🚨

🔊 INSPIRE SURVEY from the University of Cambridge.

This survey aims to improve the understanding of neurological symptoms in SLE and other rheumatic conditions.

Lupus is a very heterogeneous disease, which means that it affects people of different ethnic backgrounds and gender in different ways.

That is why, to get accurate research results, as many different groups as possible must be represented in the sample.

The INSPIRE survey was launched last year to get the patient experience on the assessment/monitoring of neurological symptoms, but they received very few responses from people from ethnic minorities.

That is why the research team led by Dr Chris Wincup has launched a new survey.

The new INSPIRE survey can be completed by lupus patients or their carers from around the world.

🟣 Please share as much as possible 🟣 in order to get a sample that includes a good proportion of all ethnic groups.

Thank you!

bit.ly/inspire_patients_short
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Comment on Facebook

I did it a second time and no it went good till the end

The survey was demolished.

1 week ago
LUPUS EUROPE

Discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE) is the most common form of chronic cutaneous lupus erythematosus. It is characterised by persistent scaly plaques on the scalp, face, and ears, which can progress to scarring, atrophy, depigmentation, and permanent hair loss in affected hair-bearing areas (Source: DermNet).

This study, published by Prof Marca Mosca et al., describes 2 cases of severe and refractory DLE successfully treated with anifrolumab, a human monoclonal antibody.

Although anifrolumab has been recently approved for the treatment of SLE, data from randomized clinical trials have shown a significant difference in cutaneous response rate in patients treated with anifrolumab from those in the placebo group.

While the effectiveness of this treatment in real life and in different types of skin lesions has yet to be determined, it could represent a new valid opportunity for treating DLE.

jamanetwork.com/journals/jamadermatology/article-abstract/2798967
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Discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE) is the most common form of chronic cutaneous lupus erythematosus. It is characterised by persistent scaly plaques on the scalp, face, and ears, which can progress to scarring, atrophy, depigmentation, and permanent hair loss in affected hair-bearing areas (Source: DermNet). 

This study, published by Prof Marca Mosca et al., describes 2 cases of severe and refractory DLE successfully treated with anifrolumab, a human monoclonal antibody. 

Although anifrolumab has been recently approved for the treatment of SLE, data from randomized clinical trials have shown a significant difference in cutaneous response rate in patients treated with anifrolumab from those in the placebo group. 

While the effectiveness of this treatment in real life and in different types of skin lesions has yet to be determined, it could represent a new valid opportunity for treating DLE.

https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamadermatology/article-abstract/2798967Image attachmentImage attachment
1 week ago
LUPUS EUROPE

We know some of you missed the great seminar recently delivered by Prof. Laurent Arnaud.

Well, no worries!

You have the chance to see it again, thanks to the European Federation of Internal Medicine (EFIM).

"Challenges in 2023 for Systemic Lupus Erythematosus".

Next 29th of March at 18:00 CET (i.e. Paris time).

Register for free here!

us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_O5yMwjfgTS29pMKvOZfgZw
... See MoreSee Less

We know some of you missed the great seminar recently delivered by Prof. Laurent Arnaud. 

Well, no worries! 

You have the chance to see it again, thanks to the European Federation of Internal Medicine (EFIM). 

Challenges in 2023 for Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.

Next 29th of March at 18:00 CET (i.e. Paris time).

Register for free here! 

https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_O5yMwjfgTS29pMKvOZfgZwImage attachment
1 week ago
LUPUS EUROPE

Did you miss this ERN RECONNET webinar with Lou Kawka and Prof Laurent Arnaud about #fatigue in #SLE?

Now you have the chance to watch it!!! 😃🙌

www.youtube.com/watch?v=7jc7SiP5BsA
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Did you miss this ERN RECONNET webinar with Lou Kawka and Prof Laurent Arnaud about #fatigue in #SLE? 

Now you have the chance to watch it!!! 😃🙌

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7jc7SiP5BsA
LUPUS EUROPE Uniting people with Lupus throughout Europe
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