Can lupus be cured?

Written by Zhang Lin
Rheumatology and Immunology Nephrology
Updated on September 08, 2024
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Lupus erythematosus currently has no cure in clinical practice. However, an early diagnosis and treatment can significantly prolong the life expectancy of patients. Compared to the past, with standardized and effective individualized treatments, the 5-year survival rate can reach 95%, and the 10-year survival rate can reach 84%. However, the cause of lupus erythematosus is unclear, and no method can completely cure the disease. It is important to emphasize that there are already some medications available clinically that can alleviate the symptoms, allowing patients to live normal lives and work normally. Additionally, it is crucial not to resort to desperate measures by seeking random treatments or believing in folk remedies and secret family recipes shared by others. Such actions can not only delay proper treatment and waste money but also worsen the condition due to unclear formulations.

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Written by Liu Li Ning
Rheumatology
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Does lupus erythematosus transmit through living and eating together?

Lupus erythematosus is not contagious through sharing meals or living together. It is an autoimmune disease, not an infectious one, hence it cannot be transmitted to others by living or eating together. The exact mechanism of lupus is currently unclear, but it may be related to various factors such as sex hormones, genetics, infections, and physical and chemical factors, and it is more commonly seen in females. Clinically common symptoms include fever, rash, joint pain, oral ulcers, hair loss, etc. The clinical manifestations vary depending on the affected target organ. If lupus nephritis occurs, symptoms such as edema can appear. If the lungs are involved, it can promote pulmonary interstitial fibrosis, and in severe cases, patients may experience chest tightness, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties.

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Written by Zhang Lin
Rheumatology and Immunology Nephrology
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Can lupus be inherited?

Lupus erythematosus is not a genetic disease, but it is a disease with a genetic predisposition. This means that genetic diseases refer to monogenic diseases, including albinism, color blindness, etc., which are determined by a pair of alleles. However, lupus erythematosus is a disease with a genetic predisposition, determined by multiple genes. Although lupus erythematosus is not a genetic disease, if your parents have lupus erythematosus, the chance of the next generation developing lupus erythematosus is about 1% to 16%. This relationship is especially significant between mothers and daughters, and among sisters. Genetic factors account for approximately 20% of the importance in the development of lupus erythematosus. Only the combination of genetic factors and environmental factors together can lead to the occurrence of lupus erythematosus.

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Written by Zhang Lin
Rheumatology and Immunology Nephrology
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Does lupus cause itchy skin?

The rash in patients with lupus erythematosus is generally not noticeably itchy. In patients with lupus erythematosus, the characteristic changes include a butterfly-shaped rash on the bridge of the nose and cheeks. The skin lesions of lupus erythematosus include photosensitivity, hair loss, erythema on the palms and soles and around the nails, discoid lupus, nodular erythematosus, seborrheic dermatitis, livedo reticularis, and Raynaud's phenomenon, among others. Generally, there is no noticeable itching. If significant itching occurs, it suggests an allergy. Itchy rash after immunosuppressive treatment should be monitored for fungal infections. Lupus patients receiving steroid and immunosuppressive therapy, if experiencing unexplained localized skin burning, may be showing early signs of herpes zoster and should seek prompt medical attention at a hospital.

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Written by Zhang Lin
Rheumatology and Immunology Nephrology
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What should I do about lupus joint pain?

In patients with systemic lupus erythematosus, most suffer from arthralgia. The joint pain caused by systemic lupus erythematosus is due to the deposition of immune complexes in the joint cavity, or inflammation of the blood vessels nourishing the joints. This primarily manifests as joint swelling and pain, and often occurs symmetrically. When joint pain occurs in lupus, in addition to corticosteroid therapy, we can also use non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) under the guidance of a doctor. These drugs can achieve good analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects. However, patients with renal insufficiency should use these drugs with caution.

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Written by Zhang Lin
Rheumatology and Immunology Nephrology
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How is lupus treated?

The treatment of lupus erythematosus mainly involves the following aspects: Firstly, mild patients can be treated with antimalarial drugs, such as chloroquine or hydroxychloroquine, thalidomide, and low-dose corticosteroids; moderate active patients can receive individualized treatment with corticosteroids, and immunosuppressants may be used when necessary; for severe patients, corticosteroids are the preferred treatment, combined with immunosuppressants such as cyclophosphamide. Secondly, for lupus crisis patients, treatment can involve immunoglobulin, high-dose corticosteroid pulse therapy. Thirdly, biologics, such as anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies, plasmapheresis, and autologous stem cell transplantation, are also used clinically. Medication for treating lupus erythematosus should be used under the guidance of a doctor, and self-medication should be avoided to prevent serious consequences.