World Lupus Day: Le'ts Make Lupus Visible In Pakistan

The World Lupus Federation, a global alliance of lupus patient organisations working to improve the quality of life for people living with the disease, sponsors World Lupus Day. The World Lupus Federation seeks to raise awareness and knowledge of lupus, provide information and services to people living with the disease, and advocate on their behalf through the efforts of its global affiliates.

 

What is Lupus?

Lupus is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks its own tissues and organs of the body(autoimmune disease). Lupus-related inflammation can impact the joints, skin, kidneys, blood cells, brain, heart, and lungs, among other body systems.

In Pakistan, comprehensive data on lupus, like all other data, does not exist. However, approximately five million people worldwide suffer from lupus. Incidentally, more than 90 per cent of lupus warriors are women between the ages of 15 and 44, generally referred to as the childbearing age.

 

Types of Lupus

There are four major types of lupus:

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

It is the most common type of lupus, and when generally the term lupus is used it is meant for Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. It involves several organs hence the term systemic.

Lupus of the Skin

This mainly involves the skin. It can be acute cutaneous, chronic or discoid lupus erythematosus. One of the main clinical features of DLE is rashes that scar the skin.

Drug-Induced Lupus

Many drugs can cause lupus such as Hydralazine, Isoniazid, Procainamide, Anti TNF and Minocycline.

Neonatal Lupus Erythematosus

This is comparatively rare where antibodies from the mother attack the heart of the infant.

Sign and Symptoms

Lupus has no two cases that are alike. Symptoms and signs might appear abruptly or gradually, be moderate or severe, and be transitory or permanent. Most people with lupus have a moderate form of the disease marked by flares, which are periods of time when signs and symptoms worsen, then improve or even disappear altogether.

Lupus has no two cases that are alike. Symptoms and signs might appear abruptly or gradually, be moderate or severe, and be transitory or permanent. Most people with lupus have a moderate form of the disease marked by flares, which are periods of time when signs and symptoms worsen, then improve or even disappear altogether.

Your lupus signs and symptoms will vary depending on which body systems are affected by the condition. The following are the most common signs and symptoms:

• Fatigue
• Fever
• Swelling, stiffness, and discomfort in the joints
• Skin lesions that occur or increase with sun exposure, such as a butterfly-shaped rash on the face that encompasses the cheekbones and bridge of the nose, or rashes elsewhere on the body Toes and fingers

 

Diagnostic Tests

The following blood and urine tests may be performed:

Complete Blood Count

The number of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets, as well as the amount of haemoglobin, a protein found in red blood cells, are all measured in this test. This would help to know if there is anaemia which is common in Lupus. Lupus can also cause a low white blood cell or platelet count.

Erythrocytes Sedimentation Rate(ESR)

The rate at which red blood cells settle to the bottom of a tube in an hour is determined by this blood test. A higher-than-normal rate could suggest a systemic illness like lupus. The ESR is not unique to any one disease.

Kidneys and Liver Evaluation

Blood tests can tell the normal functioning conditions of the kidneys and liver. These organs are susceptible to lupus.

Urinalysis

If your kidneys have been impacted by lupus, an analysis of a sample of your urine may reveal an elevated protein level or red blood cells in the urine.

Antinuclear antibodies (ANA) Test

A positive test for these antinuclear antibodies indicates that the immune system is disturbed. While the majority of people with lupus have a positive ANA test, it does not necessarily mean that a positive test for ANA indicates lupus. Your doctor may recommend more specific antibody testing if you test positive for ANA.

Conclusion:

Lupus includes a number of early warning symptoms that, if recognised, can save lives and make life simpler for people affected. In Pakistan, there is a lack of awareness regarding lupus, using this global day can make a difference to let people know about lupus and having a national registry to understand survival analyses and prognostic factors of SLE patients would be a good start. Dr Essa Lab is always standing at the forefront to serve the nation, having all the diagnostic testing services under one roof. CBC and ANA test facilities as well as imaging tests required for lupus are available at all the branches. Call now at UAN: (021)-111-786-986 or visit the nearest branch.

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