Demographic of Lupus Sufferers
Lupus by Gender
Ninety percent of the lupus population are women.
Men develop lupus too but women are 13 times more likely to develop lupus than men do.
The disease usually strikes women of childbearing age. 70 % have an onset of the illness between ages 13 and 40 years, but anyone at any age can develop lupus.
Although most women get lupus when their estrogen levels are high, a number of women get lupus after menopause, when estrogen levels are low.
Lupus can strike children and the elderly, but the symptoms are usually mild.
Lupus by Race
People of all races and ethnic groups can develop lupus but women of color are three to four times more likely to develop lupus than Caucasians. Asian, and Native American descent are also more likely to develop lupus than Caucasians.
African-American women suffer from more severe symptoms and have a higher mortality rate.
Lupus, Genetics & Lifestyle
Twenty percent of people with lupus will have a parent or sibling who already has lupus or may develop lupus.
About 5 percent of the children born to individuals with lupus will develop the illness.
Those who have a family history of lupus are 5 percent more likely to develop the disease than the general population, but only about 10 % of people with lupus have a close relative with the disease.
Other factors that trigger the body’ s autoimmune attack and potential culprits include cigarette smoke, sunlight, stress, and certain infections.
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