How common is lupus?

Content provided by Healthwise

How common is lupus?

Lupus affects different age groups at different rates. The majority of people with lupus develop the disease between ages 15 and 45.¹ Women account for 85% of diagnosed lupus cases.²

Heredity is a factor, meaning lupus sometimes runs in families. If a mother has lupus, her children have a slightly increased risk of developing the disease.²

The number of people who have lupus varies widely among different countries and among different populations within countries. Lupus is present in as many as 1 out of every 250 black women; it is present in 1 out of every 1,000 white women.² Lupus occurs more often in Hispanic, Native American, and Asian people than in whites.¹

References

Print Email SHARE

Citations
Lockshin MD (2005). Systemic lupus erythematosus. In DC Dale, DD Federman, eds., ACP Medicine, section 15, chap. 4. New York: WebMD.
Hellmann DB, Imboden JB Jr (2008). Systemic lupus erythematosus section of Arthritis and musculoskeletal disorders. In LM Tierney et al., eds., Current Medical Diagnosis and Treatment, 47th ed., pp. 725–729. New York: McGraw-Hill.

Credits

Print Email SHARE

Author	Shannon Erstad, MBA/MPH
Editor	Kathleen M. Ariss, MS
Associate Editor	Michele Cronen
Associate Editor	Denele Ivins
Associate Editor	Pat Truman, MATC
Primary Medical Reviewer	Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine
Primary Medical Reviewer	Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer	Stanford M. Shoor, MD - Rheumatology
Last Updated	May 13, 2008

Print Email Twitter Facebook MySpace AIM More

Last updated:	May 13, 2008
Author:	Shannon Erstad, MBA/MPH
Reviewed By:	Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine, Stanford M. Shoor, MD - Rheumatology
Editors:	Kathleen M. Ariss, MS, Pat Truman, MATC

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. By using AOL Body, you indicate that you have read, understood, and agreed to our Terms of Service, and AOL Body Advertising Policy. Read more about our content partners.