Lupus risk factors: who is more likely to get lupus

What lupus is

Lupus is a long-lasting autoimmune disease: the immune system, which normally protects the body from infection and disease, attacks its own tissues. This causes inflammation and in some cases permanent damage to the skin, joints, heart, lungs, kidneys, blood cells and brain (NIAMS).

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is the most common type. Other types include cutaneous lupus, which affects the skin; drug-induced lupus, a reaction to some medicines that usually goes away when the medicine is stopped; and neonatal lupus, a rare type in newborns (MedlinePlus).

Who is more likely to get lupus

Anyone can get lupus. NIAMS lists these groups as more likely to get it (NIAMS):

• Women. Women get lupus about nine times more often than men.
• Ages 15 to 45. Lupus most often starts in this age range, but it can begin in childhood or later in life.
• Race and ethnicity. Lupus is more common in African Americans than in White people, and also more common in people of American Indian and Asian descent.
• Family history. If a family member has lupus or another autoimmune disease, you may be more likely to get lupus.

Some groups are more likely to have serious disease. NIAMS names men, African Americans, Chinese people and Hispanic people as more likely to have serious organ involvement (NIAMS), and MedlinePlus says African American and Hispanic women are more likely to have severe forms (MedlinePlus).

What may cause or trigger lupus

The cause is unknown. Studies show that certain factors may trigger the immune system and lead to the disease (NIAMS):

• Genes. Certain genes play a role, likely through proteins that affect the immune system.
• Environment. Viral infections, sunlight, certain medicines and smoking may trigger lupus.
• Immune and inflammatory influences. If the body does not clear damaged or dead cells normally, this may trick the immune system into fighting itself.

MedlinePlus lists the same areas of research: genetics, environmental factors such as viral infections, sunlight, certain medicines and smoking, and problems with the immune system (MedlinePlus). If you smoke, the quit smoking help check covers the help available to quit.

Signs to bring to a doctor

Lupus symptoms vary from person to person, can be mild or severe, and may come and go (NIAMS). They can include (NIAMS):

• painful, swollen joints with morning stiffness
• fevers and feeling tired often
• a rash across the nose and cheeks (the "butterfly" rash), round scaly rashes, or a rash after sun exposure
• hair loss, and usually painless sores in the nose or mouth
• fingers and toes that turn blue-purple, white or red with cold or stress (Raynaud's phenomenon)
• swollen glands, or swelling in the legs or around the eyes
• pain when breathing deeply or lying down
• headaches, dizziness, depression, confusion or seizures, and abdominal pain

There is no single test for lupus, and it is often mistaken for other diseases, so a diagnosis can take time. A provider will ask about your symptoms, medical history and family health history (MedlinePlus).

Some people with lupus may be more likely to develop other conditions, such as coronary artery disease (CAD) and atherosclerosis (MedlinePlus). Our heart disease risk factors guide covers those risks with its own sources.

Common questions

At what age does lupus usually start?

Most often between ages 15 and 45, though it can start in childhood or later in life (NIAMS).

Is lupus genetic?

Partly. Certain genes play a role, and a family member with lupus or another autoimmune disease may make you more likely to get it (NIAMS).

Which risk factors can I change?

Sex, age, genes and family history cannot be changed. Smoking, sunlight and certain medicines are listed as possible triggers (NIAMS) (MedlinePlus). Drug-induced lupus usually goes away when the medicine is stopped (MedlinePlus), but do not stop a medicine without talking to your clinician.

Is there a cure?

No. There is no cure for lupus, but medicines and lifestyle changes can help control it. MedlinePlus says you and your primary care provider build a treatment plan, and that you should report new symptoms right away so the plan can change if needed (MedlinePlus).

Also see rheumatoid arthritis risk factors and multiple sclerosis risk factors, other autoimmune diseases, psoriasis risk factors and endometriosis risk factors, a condition OWH links with lupus.