Lupus

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Risk Factors and Causes

Lupus results from an abnormal immune system response, the cause of which is unknown. The condition appears to result from a combination of genetic (inherited), hormonal, and environmental factors. SLE may develop when the immune system mistakes normal cells in the body for foreign cells, possibly following infection with an invading organism (e.g., virus) that is similar to normal proteins in the body.

A number of genes related to SLE have been identified, but the inheritance rate is relatively low (ranges from 2–10%). Studies have shown that women are more likely to experience autoimmune disorders that result from genetic make-up than men, which may help to explain the higher prevalence of lupus in women.

The prevalence of lupus in women of childbearing age (i.e., after puberty and before menopause) may indicate that hormone production or the metabolism (physical and chemical processes) of hormones can also contribute to the condition.

It is unknown whether factors in the environment (e.g., chemicals, bacteria) contribute to the development of lupus. Exposure to sunlight appears to play a role in the exacerbation of symptoms (flares) associated with the disease.

In rare cases, medications (e.g., procainamide [Pronestyl®], hydralazine [Apresoline®]) can cause a syndrome that is similar to SLE (called drug-induced lupus). This condition, which has a genetic risk factor, causes general symptoms (e.g., fever, malaise), joint pain (arthralgia) and inflammation (polyarthritis), inflammation of the membranes surrounding the lungs (pleurisy) and heart (pericarditis).

Patients who experience drug-induced lupus are withdrawn from the medication and symptoms usually improve within a few weeks. In severe cases, corticosteroids are administered for 2 to 10 weeks.

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