Note: these Fact Sheets are not intended to be read like the chapters of a book, but individually as appropriate. Some of the material is repeated on several sheets.

• How common is Lupus?
• What groups of people are most at risk of lupus?
• Why do people get lupus?
• Will children of people with lupus get lupus?
• Are there cases of lupus in the community which have not been recognised?
• What should I do if I think I have got lupus?

• What is lupus?
• Who gets lupus?
• What are the features of lupus?
• How is lupus diagnosed?
• How is lupus treated?
• Non-medication measures
• What is the outlook?

• Fatigue
• Aches and pains
• Fevers
• Rashes
• Hair loss
• Headaches
• Depression
• General symptoms
• Diagnosis
• Lupus blood tests
  • Antinuclear antibody (ANA)
  • DNA antibodies
  • ENA
  • Antiphospholipid antibodies
  • Complement
• General blood tests
• Urine tests
• More complicated tests

• Symptoms and signs
• Pleurisy
• The lungs
• The heart - Pericarditis
• Heart valve disease
• Heart attacks
• Conclusions

• Depression
• Headaches
• Fits
• Movement disorders
• Spinal chord
• Psychiatric disturbance
• Treatment

• Lupus and the kidneys
• How frequent is kidney involvement?
• Symptoms and signs
• Urine testing
• What the blood tests show
• More complicated tests
• Kidney biopsy
• General treatment
• Is dialysis helpful?
• Does renal transplant work?

• What happens to the joints in lupus?
• What treatment is available for the joints in lupus?
• What about surgery?
• How does lupus affect the muscles?
• How can myositis be treated?
• How can fibromyalgia be treated?
• Are there any other joint or muscle problems in lupus?

• What types of skin problem occur in lupus?
  • Discoid lupus
  • Subacute cutaneous lupus
  • Rashes
  • Panniculitis
  • Urticaria
• What about the blood vessels in the skin?
• What happens to the hair in Lupus?
• What about sunlight and the skin in Lupus?
• Why does Lupus affect the skin?
• What treatment is available for the skin in Lupus?
• How can I help myself?

• How can Lupus affect the mouth and nose?
• Can the lupus skin rashes spread inside the mouth?
• Why do my eyes feel dry?
• How else can lupus affect the eyes?
• What are the key messages to bear in mind?

• What can I do to help with fatigue?
• What physical activities will I be able to continue with?
• What changes will I have to make to my lifestyle?
• What about work?
• What changes will my family have to make?
• What about my sex life?
• Social life and friendships
• Will lupus affect my finances?

• Hormonal influences on lupus
• Clinical disease in men
• Lifestyle considerations
• Conclusion

• What is it in sunlight that causes lupus to flare and causes rashes to develop in particular?
• Why do some people with lupus get other disease manifestations after sun exposure?
• Do all lupus patients suffer from light sensitivity?
• Can photosensitive rashes and other sun-induced manifestations of lupus be prevented?
• How can I afford to buy so much sunblock?
• Do drugs provide protection against sun-induced flares of disease?

• Is pregnancy possible when you have lupus?
• What should I do if I want to become pregnant?
• When should I seek additional advice about pregnancy?
• What should I do if I become pregnant?
• What are the risks once I am pregnant?
• Do I have to have a Caesarean Section?
• What happens after I have had my baby?
• Can I breast feed?
• Should I have my baby tested for lupus?
• My baby had a rash when it was born, does this mean that it has lupus?
• I've heard that some babies born to mothers with lupus have a slow heart rate when they are born?
• I have anti-phospholipid syndrome. How does this affect my pregnancy?

• What is blood?
• Why do lupus patients have low white cell counts, and what is the significance of this?
• Why do lupus patients become anaemic and what effect does this have?
• What are the effects and causes of low platelets in lupus patients?
• What else does the antiphospholipid syndrome cause?
• How is antiphospholipid syndrome caused?

• Non-steroidals
• Anti-malarials
• Corticosteroids (prednisolone)
• Immunosupressives
• Other drugs
• Non-lupus drugs
• Taking your medicine

• Hughes' syndrome (antiphospholipid syndrome)
• Mixed Connective Tissue Disease
• What parts of the body does lupus usually affect?
• Are people with lupus more likely to get other problems where the immune system attacks the body?
• What are the other problems that people with lupus are prone to?
• Other diseases

• Does lupus cause foot problems?
• Can skin problems affect the feet?
• Does lupus affect toe nails?
• So what are the risks to the foot in lupus?
• How can I help myself?

• What is discoid lupus?
• What is the relationship between discoid and systemic lupus?
• Treatment
• Drugs
• The physician’s goal in treating discoid lupus

LUPUS UK acknowledges with gratitude the assistance of several consultants, especially Dr Graham Hughes (London) and Dr Caroline Gordon and colleagues (Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham), in the provision of clinical information for these fact sheets. LUPUS UK also thanks Marks & Spencer plc (Newcastle-on-Tyne and Ballymena branches) and the Wooler Walkers for their valued sponsorship towards the cost of producing the fact sheets. Note: these Fact Sheets are not intended to be read like the chapters of a book, but individually as appropriate; some of the material is repeated on several sheets.