World Lupus Federation Global Survey of People Living with Lupus finds 87% Report at Least One Major Organ Affected by the Disease
PR95743
WASHINGTON, May 6, 2022 /PRNewswire=KYODO JBN/ --
-- Survey Findings Released in Advance of World Lupus Day on May 10
In a recent international survey, the World Lupus Federation(
) found that 87% of the survey respondents living with lupus reported that the
disease has impacted one or more major organs or organ systems. Over 6,700
people with lupus participated in the survey from over 100 countries.
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Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease that can cause inflammation and pain in
any part of the body where the immune system, which usually fights infections,
attacks healthy tissue instead.
Nearly three-quarters of respondents reported multiple organs impacted, with an
average of three organs affected. Skin (60%) and bones (45%) were the most
commonly reported organs affected by lupus, in addition to other top impacted
organs and organ systems including kidneys (36%), GI/Digestive system (34%),
eyes (31%) and central nervous system (26%).
"Unfortunately, people living with lupus are told that they 'don't look sick,'
when in reality they are battling a disease that can be attacking any organ in
their body and causing countless symptoms and other serious health
complications," said Stevan W. Gibson, president and CEO, Lupus Foundation of
America which serves as the Secretariat of the World Lupus Federation. "The
important work of the World Lupus Federation and its members helps to raise
awareness of the challenges people with lupus face every day and brings
attention to the need for more support across the globe, including from public
and government leaders to increase funding of critical research, education and
support services that help improve the quality of life for everyone affected by
lupus."
Among the survey respondents reporting organ impact, over half (53%) were
hospitalized because of organ damage caused by lupus and 42% were told by a
doctor that due to lupus they have irreversible organ damage.
The impact of lupus on the body goes beyond physical symptoms. Most respondents
(89%) reported that lupus-related organ damage led to at least one significant
challenge to their quality of life, such as:
--Participation in social or recreational activities (59%)
--Mental health problems (38%)
--Inability to work / unemployment (33%)
--Financial insecurity (33%)
--Mobility or transportation challenges (33%)
"Much of the world is unfamiliar with lupus and does not understand the pain we
constantly deal with or the uncertainty of what organ or part of our body lupus
will attack next," shared Juan Carlos Cahiz, Chipiona, Spain, diagnosed with
lupus in 2017. "These survey findings underscore the serious impact lupus has
on our lives and why more must be done to raise awareness of this disease, and
advance research and care."
Click here to view a topline summary(
) and the detailed survey results(
), and join us on May 10 to help make lupus visible across the globe for World
Lupus Day(
). The World Lupus Federation leads the annual observance of World Lupus Day to
bring more considerable attention to the disease and its impact on millions of
people worldwide.
About the World Lupus Federation
The World Lupus Federation(
) (WLF) is a coalition of lupus(
) patient organizations, united to improve the quality of life for all people
affected by lupus. Through coordinated efforts among its affiliates, the
Federation works to expand global initiatives that create greater awareness and
understanding of lupus, provide education and services to people living with
the disease and advocate on their behalf.
MEDIA CONTACT
Mike Donnelly
World Lupus Federation
donnelly@lupus.org
SOURCE: Lupus Foundation of America
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