Is lupus a fatal disease?
Lupus is not a universally fatal disease. In fact, today with close follow-up and treatment, 80-90% of the people with lupus can expect to live a normal life span. Lupus does vary in intensity and degree, however, and there are people who have a mild case, there are those who have a moderate case and there are some who have a severe case of lupus, which tends to be more difficult to treat and bring under control. For people who have a severe flare-up, there is a greater chance that their lupus may be life-threatening. And we know that some people do die of this disease and because of that we have a tremendous amount of respect for the potential of this disease. However, the majority of people living with lupus today can expect to live a normal life-span. People frequently read in the literature that, 80-90% of people with lupus live for more than ten years. Unfortunately, this is often misinterpreted as- people with lupus live for only ten years. Let us clarify this. The studies that w
The majority of people living with lupus today can expect to live a normal life span. About 20 or so years ago it was a different matter, many more people died from lupus. This was due to the fact that it was only diagnosed when it was very severe, & treatments weren’t as effective. Now, with better diagnostic facilities, increased awareness & effective treatments, at least 90% of people with lupus will lead a normal lifespan. Lupus does vary in intensity & degree, & there are people who have a mild case, there are those who have a moderate case & there are some who have a severe case (severe organ involvement), which tends to be more difficult to treat & bring under control. Recent studies in longterm survival rates: Patients diagnosed with Lupus in 1990/95 have 92% chance of living more than the next 5 years (88% if initial diagnosis was lupus nephritis). This compares with 49% in 1960s. The figure has been steadily rising over the decades. Also remember that the chance of living mor
Lupus is not a universally fatal disease. In fact, today with close follow-up and treatment, 80-90% of the people with lupus can expect to live a normal life span. Lupus does vary in intensity and degree, however, from mild with infrequent flares to some who have severe cases which tends to be more difficult to treat and bring under control. For people who have a severe flare-up, there is a greater chance that their lupus may be life-threatening. We know that some people do die of this disease and because of that we have a tremendous amount of respect for the potential of this disease. People frequently read that 80-90% of people with lupus live for more than ten years. It is important to understand that the “10 years” does not represent the number of years the person will live, but rather the number of years involved in the study. The studies followed patients with lupus from the time of diagnosis for ten years. At the end of this period they were able to conclude that 80-90% of the p
Lupus is not a universally fatal disease. In fact, today with close follow-up and treatment, 80-90% of the people with lupus can expect to live a normal life span. Lupus does vary in intensity and degree, however, and there are people who have a mild case, there are those who have a moderate case and there are some who have a severe case of lupus, which tends to be more difficult to treat and bring under control. For people who have a severe flare-up, there is a greater chance that their lupus may be life-threatening. We know that some people do die of this disease and because of that we have a tremendous amount of respect for the potential of this disease. However, the majority of people living with lupus today can expect to live a normal lifespan. People frequently read in the literature that, 80-90% of people with lupus live for more than ten years. Unfortunately, this is often misinterpreted as- people with lupus live for only ten years. Let us clarify this. It is important to unde
