Lupus (Systemic Lupus Erythematosus): What Increases Your Risk
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What Increases Your Risk
The chances of developing lupus (systemic lupus erythematosus, or SLE) are higher in people who:
- Are female.
- Are black.
- Are between the ages 15 and 45.
- Have a family history of lupus.
- Take medications that are associated with drug-induced systemic lupus.
Results from studies are mixed on the effect that the hormone estrogen has on a woman's risk of lupus or of having lupus flares. For example, while most women do not have symptom flares during pregnancy, when a woman has a high level of estrogen, a few women do have flares during pregnancy. And although most women develop lupus when they are age 15 to 45, when estrogen levels are higher, a number of women develop lupus after menopause, when estrogen levels are low.
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and birth control pills (oral contraceptives) do not appear to affect a woman's risk of lupus.2 Birth control pills also do not appear to increase the chance of symptom flares in women with moderate lupus that is inactive or under control.3
Some research suggests smoking may increase the risk of getting lupus.1
| 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 |
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