Statistics
Cases of Lupus
- The Lupus Foundation of America estimates that approximate 1.5-million Americans have a form of lupus.
- Although lupus can strike men and women of all ages, 90% of individuals diagnosed with the disease are women, and 80% of those afflicted with systemic lupus develop it between the ages of 15 and 45.
- Cutaneous lupus (affecting only the skin) accounts for approximately 10% of all cases.
- In approximately 10% of all lupus cases, individuals will have symptoms and signs of more than one connective tissue disease, including lupus. A physician may use the term "overlap syndrome" or "mixed connective tissue disease" to describe the illness.
- 20% of people with lupus will have a parent or sibling who already has lupus or may develop lupus.
- About 5% of the children born to individuals with lupus will develop the illness.
- Lupus is two to three times more prevalent among people of color, including African Americans, Hispanics/Latinos, Asians, and Native Americans.
- It is difficult to determine the annual number of new lupus cases, or the number of individuals who die from health complications of the disease. However, due to improved diagnosis and disease management, most people with the disease will go on to live a normal life span.
- The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a report in May 2002 which indicated that deaths attributed to lupus increased over a 20-year period, particularly among African American women ages 45-64. However, it is not clear if the rise is the result of an actual increase in lupus mortality or better identification and reporting of deaths due to complications of the disease. Trends in Deaths from SLE -- United States, 1979 - 1998
- Several studies reveal that the annual average cost to provide medical treatment for a person with lupus ranges between $6,000 and $10,000. For some people with lupus, however, medical costs may exceed several thousand dollars every month.
- According to a Lupus Foundation of America membership survey, one in four patients receive their health care through a government-sponsored program, such as Medicare or Medicaid.
- Two of three lupus patients reported a complete or partial loss of their income because they are unable to work due to complications of lupus.
- One in three have been temporarily disabled by the disease, and one in four currently receive disability payments.