What Is Lupus?
Lupus is a chronic, complex autoimmune disease that affects millions of people worldwide. More than 90 percent of people with lupus are women; lupus most often strikes during the childbearing years of 15-45. African Americans, Latins, Asians and Native Americans are two to three times at greater risk than Caucasians. In lupus, the immune system, which is designed to protect against infection, creates antibodies that can attack any part of the body impacting a wide range of tissues and organs including kidneys, brain, heart, lungs, blood, skin, and joints. Its treatment can also have serious side effects; one of the common medications for lupus, oral corticosteroids, for example, can lead to organ damage, infections, heart disease, osteoporosis weakening bones and cataracts affecting vision.
NB: Factors to note
Research
There has been little research conducted in Africa about the prevalence of lupus, and even within the health system, awareness is very low. This means that many primary care providers are unaware of the symptoms of the disease and thus are not on the lookout for it. Many lupus patients report seeing a minimum of four providers before they receive an accurate diagnosis and are prescribed the right treatment.
Cost
Cost is another factor driving the low levels of diagnosis of lupus. Tests are not commonly available in the public health system upon which most sufferers rely, and can be expensive to administer. Equally, once a diagnosis is confirmed, the cost of treatment remains substantial, as the immune suppressants, steroids and other medications required to keep symptoms under control are not often available through the public health systems in most countries in Africa.