10

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).

 

 

 

Live Facebook Feed

Comments Box SVG iconsUsed for the like, share, comment, and reaction icons
2 days ago

🦋 #WorldLupusDay is coming to an end!

❤️ Thank you all for the support you have shown throughout this important day in which the whole world has raised awareness of the impact that lupus can potentially have 💥.

🌈 However, we at Lupus Europe believe that there is something very important that we also need to show the world: our vitality, our energy, and our will to enjoy life – including our work.

🌟 Our strong vision in a fulfilling life for all people with lupus in Europe, until we have reached a world without lupus.

😃 We always work hard! We all have lupus, though our amazing Lupus Europe family seems to forget about it when we are at an event, a meeting, or are working for the organisation.

🦋 Lupus is an invisible illness with many faces. Let’s close this day with our hopes, our laughter, and our enthusiasm for life.

🌺 Every day, but especially this # WorldLupusDay, we thank all those who stand by our side and show the best face of the 1000 faces lupus has.
... See MoreSee Less

2 days ago

‼️ It is estimated that about 50% of #SLE patients will suffer from #lupus nephritis, one of SLE's most dangerous & frequent complications.

💊 Routine checkups and available treatments make it possible for 60–70% of patients to achieve complete or partial remission.

#WorldLupusDay
#Lupus100
... See MoreSee Less

‼️ It is estimated that about 50% of #SLE patients will suffer from #lupus nephritis, one of SLEs most dangerous & frequent complications.

💊 Routine checkups and available treatments make it possible for 60–70% of patients to achieve complete or partial remission.

#WorldLupusDay
#Lupus100
2 days ago

🔴 Despite significant improvements in diagnosis delay & treatment strategies, the burden of #SLE remains high.

Learn more on the association between diagnosis delay, disease activity and burden on daily life in patients with #lupus in this study: lupus.bmj.com/content/8/1/e000469

And get to better understand how to live with #lupus thanks to #Lupus100! A website written by doctors and patients to make it possible for people with lupus to have easy-to-understand and high-quality information about lupus!

lupus100.org/en/100-questions#Challenges

Need more? Check out #LupusGPT! lupusgpt.org/

#WorldLupusDay
#Lupus100
... See MoreSee Less

🔴 Despite significant improvements in diagnosis delay & treatment strategies, the burden of #SLE remains high.

Learn more on the association between diagnosis delay, disease activity and burden on daily life in patients with #lupus in this study: https://lupus.bmj.com/content/8/1/e000469

And get to better understand how to live with #lupus thanks to #Lupus100! A website written by doctors and patients to make it possible for people with lupus to have easy-to-understand and high-quality information about lupus!

https://lupus100.org/en/100-questions#Challenges

Need more? Check out #LupusGPT! https://lupusgpt.org/

#WorldLupusDay
#Lupus100
2 days ago

🚨 #lupus is an autoimmune disease that affects nearly 500,000 people in Europe and over 5 million people in the world.

It affects not only patients but also their loved ones.

Do you want to know what the first symptoms of #lupus are?

Visit #Lupus100 and #lupusgpt and find out!

Getting to know the disease is key for an early diagnosis.

lupus100.org/en/questions/what-are-the-first-signs-of-lupus

lupusgpt.org/

#WorldLupusDay
#MakeLupusVisible
... See MoreSee Less

🚨 #Lupus is an autoimmune disease that affects nearly 500,000 people in Europe and over 5 million people in the world.

It affects not only patients but also their loved ones.

Do you want to know what the first symptoms of #lupus are?

Visit #Lupus100 and #LupusGPT and find out!

Getting to know the disease is key for an early diagnosis.

https://lupus100.org/en/questions/what-are-the-first-signs-of-lupus

https://lupusgpt.org/

#WorldLupusDay
#MakeLupusVisible
LUPUS EUROPE Uniting people with Lupus throughout Europe
Send