LUPUS:
WIDESPREAD
YET WIDELY
UNKNOWN
You've probably never heard of it but it's
one of the most painful and pervasive
auto-immune diseases that exists.
It is believed that 5 million people throughout
the world have a form of lupus, yet many
people had never heard about it until it hit
close to home.
There are about 4,280 cases per 100,000
population and the highest prevalence is
among Afro-Caribbeans.
Although the disease affects members of all
races and nationalities, blacks have a worse
prognosis, due in large part to the increased
prevalence of renal disease (kidney disease).
Lupus, according to the stats is much more
common than leukemia, cystic fibrosis,
multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy,
pernicious anemia, rheumatic fever or
Hodgkin’s disease. Yet, only 15% of newly
diagnosed lupus patients had even ever heard
of lupus.
It is a gravely misunderstood and
misdiagnosed disease. Even the name and
symbol is confusing. Although lupus got its
name from the wolf, it is symbolized by a
butterfly. The other symbol for lupus is a
purple ribbon.
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