It is estimated that between 150,000 and 300,000 people live with lupus in Brazil, the majority of them young women, according to data from the Brazilian Society of Rheumatology (SBR). Despite affecting thousands of Brazilians, the disease is still little known by the general population, which contributes to late diagnoses and difficulties in adequate treatment.

Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease, that is, the immune system, which normally protects the body, starts attacking healthy tissues and organs. THE illness it can compromise different parts of the body, such as the skin, joints, kidneys, lungs, heart and, in some cases, the central nervous system. Each person manifests the condition in a different way, which varies both in terms of the intensity of the symptoms and the organs affected.

Misinformation makes diagnosis difficult

The visibility of the topic has increased with the reports of public figures, such as the North American singer Selena Gomez and the Brazilian presenter Astrid Fontenelle, who share their experiences with illness.

Cases like these help to broaden the debate, but do not replace the need for qualified information. In Brazil, for example, lupus is still surrounded by doubts due to patients’ limited access to information, which contributes to delays in diagnosis and initiation of treatment.

Lupus diagnosis

According to Dr. Luiza Grandini, rheumatologist and postgraduate professor in Rheumatology at Afya Educação Médica do Rio de Janeiro, the diagnosis does not depend on a single exam. It is carried out based on a clinical assessment that combines the history of symptoms, physical examination and other complementary tests.

“Blood tests help to identify changes in the immune system that are common in lupus, while urine tests are important to assess whether there is kidney involvement. Therefore, the diagnosis is often compared to a puzzle, assembled little by little, taking into account the set of signs, symptoms and tests”, he states.

Common symptoms of lupus

There is no proven way to prevent the disease from occurring, as it involves a combination of genetic, hormonal and environmental factors. Symptoms vary between people and usually appear during periods of high disease activity interspersed with phases of symptom improvement.

According to the rheumatologist at Afya Educação Médica do Rio de Janeiro, the most common symptoms are fever without an apparent cause, pain and swelling in the joints. A well-known sign is the appearance of reddish spots on the face, especially on the nose and cheeks, shaped similar to a butterfly, and increased sensitivity to sunlight.

Treatment improves quality of life

Although there is no cure, lupus can be controlled and treatment varies depending on the severity. The importance of diagnosis is reinforced by the Purple February Campaign, created to raise awareness among the population about four chronic diseases that affect millions of Brazilians: lupus, fibromyalgiaAlzheimer’s and leukemia.

Living with lupus requires daily care, but it is still possible to maintain an active and quality life. “When the disease is well controlled, symptoms can disappear for long periods, allowing the patient to maintain an active life”, says Dr. Luiza Grandini.

By Bruna Lima