Lupus

Published on: May 24, 2019

CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCES CAN IMPACT LUPUS ACTIVITY

Lupus patients who suffered from bad childhoods marked by abuse or neglect are likely to suffer higher disease activity, compared to patients who had normal childhoods. According to a new study, persons who suffered abuse, neglect and other challenging situations in their childhood were more likely to suffer worse symptoms of lupus. In fact, patients who reported as many as 4 bad childhood experiences had twice the disease activity as those who did not report any negative childhood experiences. They were also likely to report higher levels of depression and poorer health.

In the study, which focused on 239 patients with lupus, 63% reported at least one bad experience during their childhoods. About 19% reported a minimum of four bad experiences. This indicates that stress since childhood can be a factor in determining the severity and frequency of lupus activity. The researchers stress the importance of easier access to mental health services for at-risk groups for bad childhood experiences, like persons from lower socioeconomic backgrounds.

Lupus is an autoimmune condition in which your body’s cells and tissues are attacked by your own immune system. It can affect your joints, kidneys, skin, bean, lungs, and heart. There is no complete cure for lupus, but its symptoms can be managed. Symptoms of lupus may worsen in severity over a period of times. A person with inflammation in his joints, for example, may find it difficult to perform tasks like lifting, carrying, or even raising his arms above his head to perform a manual task. Lupus can interfere with your ability to use your arms, hands, and legs effectively, which makes many types of jobs very challenging or impossible to perform.

Continue reading →

Published on: December 22, 2017

Poverty, Race Linked to Outcomes for Lupus Patients

By Lisa Siegel

Lupus patients from lower socio-economic populations have a higher risk of suffering organ damage as a result of the condition.

According to new research published in the journal Arthritis and Rheumatology, persistent poverty is linked to an increase in the amount of damage caused by lupus over time. On the other hand, persons who are able to improve their economic conditions may alleviate those signs of damage.

Chronic stress, which is often linked to poverty, could be to blame for the higher risk of organ damage that people from lower socio-economic backgrounds suffer. The study which focused on 783 patients found that stresses related to availability of food, affordable housing, and medical care were linked to a higher risk of suffering organ damage.

Continue reading →

Published on: December 12, 2016

Improved Pregnancy Outcomes for Women with Lupus

By Lisa Siegel

Lupus is an incurable medical condition that is marked by severe fatigue and joint pain. While there is no permanent cure for lupus, there are several treatment strategies that can help a person manage his or her symptoms and improve their quality of life.

Historically, women with lupus were not encouraged to have children because of the excessive fatigue that is one of the defining characteristics of this condition and also because of negative side effects associated with Lupus drugs. However, recent medical improvements allow women suffering from lupus to not only conceive, but also to successfully carry their babies to full term.

Lupus-related fatigue is often so severe that it prevents the person from even getting out of bed. For women with lupus, having children presented especially difficult challenges because the strain of taking care of children would have been crushingly exhausting. However, medications are available now that help control the symptoms of lupus, including fatigue, and therefore, allow women to conceive and raise a family just like women without lupus.

Continue reading →

Published on: September 15, 2014

Higher Hospitalization Rates for Lupus Interfere with Ability to Work

By Lisa Siegel

When patients with lupus are admitted into a hospital for treatment of their symptoms, they may have a much higher risk of being readmitted back into the hospital within 30 days after discharge. According to a new study, as many as one in six hospitalized patients with lupus require a readmission.

One factor that contributes to the high readmission rates is the severity of the symptoms. However, there may be other factors involved. According to researchers, it is possible to reduce the risk of a readmission after hospitalization by planning the patient’s discharge better, and by addressing differences in post-discharge treatment.

Patients who suffer from lupus very often find themselves needing hospitalization. This is a condition in which the human body faces an attack by the immune system. Lupus is one of those medical conditions about which much remains unknown, which in turn makes treatment options challenging. This much is known about Lupus, however; there are genetic factors that can increase the likelihood of developing the condition.

Continue reading →