Neither lupus nor rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is inherently "worse," as both are serious autoimmune diseases, but they impact the body differently; lupus is more systemic, potentially damaging multiple organs (kidneys, brain, heart), while RA primarily targets joints, causing greater bone erosion, though both cause significant pain and inflammation. Lupus arthritis is usually less destructive to joints than RA, but lupus carries higher risks for severe kidney or lung issues, making effective management crucial for both conditions.
“One of the main clues that would indicate lupus is the presence of a rash,” says Dr. Agarwal. “RA rarely affects the skin.” The most common rash is the malar or “butterfly” rash, so named because it covers the cheeks and bridge of the nose, creating a shape similar to a butterfly spreading its wings.
In 2014, there were 2,660,497 deaths in the United States, of which 2036 (0.1%) listed SLE among the causes of death. Approximately 86.2% of SLE deaths occurred among females, with a median age at death of 59 years and the highest proportion of deaths occurring between 45 and 64 years of age.
People with lupus may experience inflammatory arthritis as part of their lupus, but some may also have other common types of noninflammatory arthritis, such as osteoarthritis, which are unrelated to their lupus.
Rhupus syndrome is a rare combination of rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus, and is characterized by the presence of erosive arthritis together with symptoms and signs of systemic lupus erythematosus.
Lupus and Sjogren's syndrome are both autoimmune diseases. Up to 5.5 million people in the U.S. have been diagnosed with lupus or Sjogren's syndrome. However, Sjogren's syndrome occurs up to three times more than lupus, but one-third of lupus patients also have Sjogren's syndrome.
Lupus can attack many different parts of the body. Some call it the cruel mystery. Lupus is an autoimmune disease that can strike any part of the body, but the wide range of symptoms can be easily mistaken for something else.
There are many subsets of arthritis, but the arthritis seen in lupus closely resembles rheumatoid arthritis in that it is symmetric (affects the same locations on either side of the body) and usually affects the small joints of the hands, wrists, and feet.
Methotrexate (Rheumatrex) Methotrexate is one of the most commonly used drugs for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, and it is used in lupus patients to alleviate the joint pain and swelling of polyarthritis (arthritis involving multiple joints).
The medicines used most often to manage lupus include:
Lupus isn't directly hereditary, meaning it's not passed down from parent to child like some genetic conditions.
Many people with lupus have trouble sleeping. If you are waking up a lot at night or having trouble falling asleep, this can lead to more tiredness and fatigue throughout the day.
Treatment with HUMIRA may result in formation of autoantibodies and, rarely, in development of lupus-like syndrome. Stop HUMIRA if symptoms of a lupus-like syndrome develop.
They're also common in autoimmune conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis and lupus, where inflammation plays a key role. Night sweats can point to neurological issues such as autonomic neuropathy, which affects the body's temperature control.
Neither RA nor lupus is "worse" than the other. They are different conditions and require treatment accordingly. Lupus and RA patients can have a mild or severe form of either disease.
Lupus and Scleroderma
Systemic lupus erythematosus (lupus) and scleroderma are two autoimmune diseases that can mimic rheumatoid arthritis. Autoimmune diseases are those in which the body's immune system attacks its own cells and tissues.
People with lupus should avoid certain supplements, including echinacea, spirulina, and vitamin E. These supplements may increase the immune system response and trigger lupus symptoms. It is also helpful to avoid excess sun exposure, salt, and alfalfa sprouts, which may also make symptoms worse.
Lupus causes swelling and irritation, called inflammation, that may affect joints, skin, kidneys, blood cells, brain, heart and lungs. Lupus can be hard to diagnose because its symptoms often are like those of other illnesses. A common sign of lupus is a facial rash that looks like butterfly wings across both cheeks.
August 29 — The Lupus Research Alliance is excited to share the good news that a potential new medicine for lupus, anifrolumab, reduced disease activity versus placebo in a second Phase III study. Anifrolumab is a therapeutic antibody that blocks type I interferons, a molecule that promotes lupus inflammation.
Tests to Make a Lupus Diagnosis
Complete blood count (CBC): checks for low counts of red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. Complement tests: measures the level of complement — proteins in your blood that help destroy foreign substances. Low levels of complement can indicate lupus.
Genetic factors: Having certain genetic variations may make you more likely to have lupus. Hormones: Reactions to certain hormones in your body (especially estrogen) may make you more likely to develop lupus. Environmental factors: These are aspects about where you live, work or spend time.
Responses from patients with SLE indicated prevalent diagnoses of depression (40%) and anxiety (42%), as well as neuropsychiatric symptoms thought to be due to SLE—brain fog (42%), headache (36%), anxiety (24%), and depression (21%).
Because symptoms present similarly to other ailments, your doctor may not test you for lupus. Many go through a process of elimination through testing for other causes of the symptoms first.