Lupus becomes fatal when severe complications affect vital organs, primarily kidney failure, cardiovascular disease (heart attack, stroke), and severe infections, often due to the body's immune system attacking itself or being suppressed by treatments. While lupus was once considered terminal, modern treatments allow most people to live a normal lifespan, but aggressive management of flares, early diagnosis, and monitoring for organ damage are crucial to prevent life-threatening outcomes, say the Lupus Foundation of America, Healthline, and the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
With modern medicine, most people with lupus (SLE) can expect a normal lifespan, with 85-90% living a typical life, thanks to huge improvements from earlier decades, though outcomes vary by individual. Survival rates are high: around 90% for 10 years and 75-80% for 20 years after diagnosis, with factors like early diagnosis, consistent treatment, and managing complications like heart disease, infections, and kidney issues being crucial.
Lupus is a lifelong disease that can lead to serious complications over time if left untreated – including irreversible organ damage – but many patients remain in the dark about the risks.
Living with Lupus
The fatigue and joint pain associated with lupus can make it more difficult to do your job or care for your children. You may have to cut back on activities or ask for help when symptoms flare up. But most people with lupus are able to continue with their usual activities.
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.
A lupus flare-up happens when the immune system becomes unusually active, causing inflammation and symptoms to worsen. For some, this may mean joint stiffness, fever, or headaches. For others, it could show up as extreme fatigue, skin rashes, or difficulty concentrating.
What are lupus flares?
Class 5: Membranous Glomerulonephritis
In class 5 (class V) lupus nephritis, a pathologist may find an excessive amount of immune complexes in the kidneys. People in this stage are also likely to have blood and protein in the urine and high blood pressure.
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.
Head to ER With Chest Pain, Shortness of Breath
“The acute inflammation from lupus can damage blood vessels as well as the protective, surrounding heart lining, leading to pericarditis,” says Dr. Blum.
Cardiovascular disease, not lupus itself, is the number one cause of death in people with lupus. (It is actually the number one cause of death around the world.) The number two cause of death for people with lupus is infection.
The top underlying cause of death among individuals with SLE was cardiovascular disease (33%).
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is the most serious. SLE can affect almost any organ or system in the body including blood vessels, muscles, joints, the digestive tract, lungs, kidneys, heart and central nervous system.
Doctors may prescribe cyclophosphamide for 3–6 months until a person's lupus goes into remission. After this, a doctor may prescribe a less potent medication with fewer risks of side effects.
With lupus, avoid excessive sun, infections, smoking, stress, and certain supplements (like alfalfa, echinacea) or foods (processed, high salt) that trigger flares; never stop or alter prescribed meds without talking to your doctor; and don't ignore fatigue, getting enough rest is crucial for managing this autoimmune condition.
There have been many advancements in the treatment and diagnosis of lupus. With proper care and a healthy lifestyle many people with lupus can live a normal life. When lupus is fatal, it's usually due to heart or blood vessel problems, kidney failure, or serious infections.
Prednisone and other corticosteroids are often used to control inflammation in lupus. While effective, these medications can increase appetite, cause fluid retention, and redistribute body fat, leading to weight gain.
Kidney problems can start around the same time lupus symptoms appear and may include:
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.
Maintaining a Healthy Lifestyle
Lupus can also cause other problems in the abdomen, including peritonitis (inflammation of the abdominal lining) and ascites (a build-up of fluids in the abdomen). Symptoms of peritonitis and ascites include: Abdominal pain and swelling. Nausea and vomiting.
Common symptoms that indicate a flare are:
Hydroxychloroquine: This is a prescription medication that treats malaria. It can relieve lupus symptoms and slow down how quickly they get worse. NSAIDs: These over-the-counter pain relievers also reduce inflammation.
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.