Lupus rates in US may be double previous estimates

Kelle Bryan, formerly of Eternal, is working to raise the profile of lupus

Lupus in the US may be twice as common as was thought, suggests research published in Arthritis & Rheumatology.

Two studies, believed to be the most accurate data to date, conclude that 128.7 in every 100,000 women in the US have lupus.

By looking at records of 4 million people, the experts were able to estimate the number of people with a new or existing lupus diagnosis from 2002 to 2004. They found that the condition is more common in women and in black people.

“For the first time, we have hard statistics on the rates of disease in a diverse US population with a large representation in the African-American population,” says Emily Somers from the University of Michigan. “Our data clearly show that this is a major women’s health issue, and it’s one that doesn’t tend to get the attention that other issues get.”

A spokesperson from Arthritis Research UK explains:

“Lupus is about nine times as common in women as in men, and is more common in younger women. It can be difficult to diagnose as many of its symptoms are similar to other autoimmune conditions and remains a variable and unpredictable condition, even with modern drug treatments.”

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