Monday, March 14, 2011

Lupus by the Numbers

There are approximately 1.5 million Americans and at least 5 million people worldwide with some form of lupus.  More people have lupus than cerebral palsy, cystic fibrosis and multiple sclerosis combined.

70% of lupus cases are Systemic Lupus Erythemotosus (SLE). In 50% of these cases, the lungs, heart, kidney or brain will be affected.

Women are 9 times more likely to develop lupus than men.

Lupus is 2 to 3 times more prevalent among women of color -- African Americans, Hispanics/Latinos, Asians, Native Americans, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders -- than among Caucasian women.

50% of lupus patients see at least 3 doctors before being diagnosed.

20% of people with lupus will have a parent or sibling who already has lupus or may develop lupus.

While lupus is a widespread disease, awareness of the disease lags behind many other illnesses.
In a nationwide poll of 1,000 adults conducted for the LFA, 38% said they are somewhat or very familiar with lupus, while 39% have only heard of the name of the disease and 22% have never heard of lupus.


More lupus statistics can be found on the Lupus Foundation of America website:

http://www.lupus.org/webmodules/webarticlesnet/templates/new_newsroomreporters.aspx?articleid=247&zoneid=60

- a little lupie -

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