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Lupus

What is lupus erythematosus?

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Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease in which the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue, causing widespread inflammation and organ damage. It most commonly affects the skin, joints, kidneys, heart, and brain.

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Lupus does not follow the same course for everyone. Some people experience mild symptoms that flare and remit over time, while others face more serious complications. Because lupus affects each person differently, ongoing monitoring and personalised care are essential.

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Types and forms of lupus erythematosus

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Lupus can take several forms, and in some cases the exact triggers are unknown.

• Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) — the most common and most severe form, where the immune system attacks multiple organs and systems throughout the body.
• Cutaneous lupus — primarily affects the skin, causing rashes, lesions, and photosensitivity. Includes discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE).
• Drug-induced lupus — a lupus-like syndrome triggered by certain medications, which typically resolves after stopping the drug.
• Neonatal lupus — a rare condition affecting newborns of mothers with certain autoantibodies.
• Undifferentiated connective tissue disease (UCTD) — a group of conditions that share features with lupus but do not yet meet full diagnostic criteria.

Understanding which form of lupus you have can help guide treatment decisions and conversations with your care team.

How lupus develops and who it affects

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Lupus occurs when the immune system loses the ability to distinguish between foreign invaders and the body's own healthy cells, triggering chronic inflammation across multiple tissues. The exact cause is not fully understood, but contributing factors may include:

• Hormonal factors — lupus is up to nine times more common in women, particularly during reproductive years
• Genetic predisposition and family history
• Environmental triggers such as UV light exposure, infections, or stress
• Certain medications
• Ethnicity — lupus is more prevalent and often more severe in people of African, Asian, Hispanic, and Indigenous heritage

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Common symptoms of lupus may include:

• Butterfly-shaped facial rash (malar rash)
• Extreme fatigue
• Joint pain, stiffness, or swelling
• Photosensitivity (sensitivity to sunlight)
• Fever without known cause
• Hair loss or thinning
• Chest pain or shortness of breath
• Kidney problems (foamy urine, swelling)
• Brain fog or memory difficulties
• Raynaud's phenomenon
• Mouth or nose ulcers
• Anaemia or other blood abnormalities

Symptoms often come and go in cycles of flares and remission, making them easy to dismiss at first. If several of these symptoms appear together or persist, discussing them with a healthcare professional is important for an accurate diagnosis.