Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: Reproductive Risksand Choices

In ancient times, lupus means a disease that eats away, bites and destroys the skin and various organs. The Lupus Foundation of America estimates that 1.5 million Americans, and at least five million people worldwide, have a form of lupus. [1] There are four types of lupus accepted and they are Systemic lupus, cutaneous lupus, drug-induced lupus (mainly by drugs like hydralazine, Isoniazid.) and neonatal lupus. Systemic lupus accounts for approximately 70 percent of all cases of lupus [2]. It is a well-known autoimmune disease. It occurs predominantly in females in a varied ratio of 5 to10:1 according to previous studies. The course of the disease is a chronic, relapsing and remitting in nature. Its popularity among the autoimmune disease is its occurrence in reproductive aged women with multisystem involvement affecting the woman’s reproductive life as well as its potential fatality. The aetiology is still uncertain yet but is generally accepted that the damage is caused by the production of antibodies to react to own body tissues resulting in inflammation with the immune complex deposition and vasculopathy. There will be genetic or familial, ethnicity, socio-economic status, hormonal factors especially estrogen, and immunological factors involved. Environmental factors like certain viruses and ultra-violet (UV) light contribute in its aetiology. It is commoner in Asians and African-Americans.