The Facts and Nothing but the Facts
More than 16,000 Americans develop lupus each year; 90% of which are women. Roughly 10% of those with cutaneous lupus (lupus that affects the skin) will develop systemic lupus erythematous (SLE). Approximately 30% of SLE patients will develop lupus nephritis and another 30% will develop heart and/ or lung problems. 50% of lupus patients will see at least 3 different doctors before being diagnosed.
Since 1980 lupus related deaths have increased 61% in the overall population and as much as 70% among African-American women. In the 1950s only 50% of lupus patients lived 4 years after diagnoses. Currently the survival rate is anywhere from 80% to 90% amongst lupus patients 10 years after diagnoses. Thousands of Americans die each year from Lupus; approximately 37% of SLE deaths are among people between the ages of 15 and 44.
Sadly enough statistics show that only 18% of women are personally concerned about lupus though they are 5 times more likely to develop it than men. Furthermore, roughly 29% of women could not correctly define lupus as an autoimmune disease, and 31% were unaware that women of childbearing age are at the highest risk. African American women rank first with lupus cases, followed by American Indian women, Hispanic women and then Caucasian women.
The economic impact of lupus is astonishing, with two out of three patients reporting a complete or partial loss of income due to complications from lupus. One in three lupus patients have at some point in their lives been temporarily disabled by lupus; and one in four patients are currently receiving disability payments. According to the Lupus Foundation of America, one in four patients receive their health care via a government-sponsored system like Medicare or Medicaid, costing the nation over $100 billion a year in medical costs. Medical care for people afflicted with lupus on average costs $13,735-$27,531 versus the $7,794-$9,788 spent by those not afflicted with the disease. If a lupus patient develops lupus nephritis the cost can rise anywhere from $29,034-$62,651.
With new research and treatments arising for other autoimmune diseases there is always the hope for a lupus cure. Raising awareness and being proactive may be the only answer lupus patients have to achieve a better quality of life. If you`d like to learn more, volunteer or donate please visit:www.lupus.org