Systemic lupus erythematosus

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What is systemic lupus erythematosus?

Systemic lupus erythematosus is a chronic autoimmune disorder primarily involving connective tissue. It affects multiple systems including the skin, joints, kidneys, lungs, heart, and the peripheral blood cells. Treatments vary according to the area affected and may include drugs or supportive care.



Common symptoms reported by people with systemic lupus erythematosus

Common symptoms
How bad it is
What people are taking for it

Reports may be affected by other conditions and/or medication side effects. We ask about general symptoms (anxious mood, depressed mood, fatigue, pain, and stress) regardless of condition.
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Treatments taken by people for systemic lupus erythematosus

Treatment name(s)
Type
How many have tried
Tried for
Treatment name(s)

(Plaquenil)
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
22,618
Treatment name(s)

(Prednisone Intensol)
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
21,688
Treatment name(s)

(Apo-Methotrexate)
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
6,527
Treatment name(s)

(Benlysta)
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
2,423
Treatment name(s)

(Imuran)
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
2,579
Treatment name(s)

(CellCept)
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
2,413
Treatment name(s)

(Arava)
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
187
Treatment name(s)

(Cytoxan)
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
918
Treatment name(s)

(Rituxan)
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
95

Data from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus, who have ever reported treatments, ordered by their reporting frequency during the last 5 years.
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Compare treatments taken by people with systemic lupus erythematosus

Treatment name(s)
Perceived effectiveness
Side effects
Total evaluations
Tried for
Treatment name(s)

(Plaquenil)
Perceived effectiveness
for systemic lupus erythematosus (7 evaluations)
Side effects
diarrhea nausea 2 more
Total evaluations
8
Treatment name(s)

(Prednisone Intensol)
Perceived effectiveness
for systemic lupus erythematosus (7 evaluations)
Side effects
depressed mood elevated blood pressure 4 more
Total evaluations
7
Treatment name(s)

(Apo-Methotrexate)
Perceived effectiveness
for systemic lupus erythematosus (10 evaluations)
Side effects
fatigue body hair loss 5 more
Total evaluations
10
Treatment name(s)

(Benlysta)
Perceived effectiveness
for systemic lupus erythematosus (8 evaluations)
Side effects
fatigue nausea 4 more
Total evaluations
8
Treatment name(s)

(Imuran)
Perceived effectiveness
for systemic lupus erythematosus (7 evaluations)
Side effects
diarrhea low white blood cell count (leukopenia) 3 more
Total evaluations
7
Treatment name(s)

(CellCept)
Perceived effectiveness
for systemic lupus erythematosus (1 evaluation)
Side effects
spinning dizziness (vertigo)
Total evaluations
1
Treatment name(s)

(Arava)
Perceived effectiveness
for systemic lupus erythematosus (1 evaluation)
Side effects
Total evaluations
1
Treatment name(s)

(Cytoxan)
Perceived effectiveness
for systemic lupus erythematosus (3 evaluations)
Side effects
sleepiness
Total evaluations
3
Treatment name(s)

(Rituxan)
Perceived effectiveness
No evaluations
Side effects
No evaluations
Total evaluations
0
  • Major
  • Moderate
  • Slight
  • None
  • Can't tell
  • Severe
  • Moderate
  • Mild
  • None

Data from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus, who have ever reported treatments, ordered by their reporting frequency during the last 5 years.
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Who has systemic lupus erythematosus on PatientsLikeMe?

  • 19 new patients joined this month
  • 36,201 say systemic lupus erythematosus is their primary condition

Age
Age Proportion # of patients
<20 40
20s 759
30s 3,386
40s 8,440
50s 11,525
60s 7,276
70+ 2,347
Age at first symptom
Age at first symptom Proportion # of patients
0-19 years 2,113
20-29 years 2,551
30-39 years 2,724
40-49 years 1,704
50-59 years 581
60-69 years 113
70+ years 30

Distribution of sex

Sex
Sex Proportion # of patients
Male 1,216
Female 33,016

Diagnosis status
Diagnosis status Proportion # of patients
Diagnosed 12,554
Not Diagnosed 533

These charts show data from systemic lupus erythematosus patients who have completed their condition history
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