Unraveling the Mystery of Lupus: New Patient Education Series

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an unpredictable and often confusing disease that affects more than 1.5 million Americans and at least 5 million persons worldwide, according to the Lupus Foundation of America (LFA). To help patients with SLE better understand their disease and help their physicians better manage it, the LFA has released new patient education publications for its ongoing series.

Five new booklets with corresponding fact sheets provide patients with the latest information about lupus diagnosis and management and an overview of all aspects of living and coping with the disease:
• Understanding Lupus (causes, forms, symptoms, physicians, and risks).
• Diagnosing Lupus (the immune system, common symptoms, and laboratory tests).
• Treating Lupus (treatment plan goals, medications, investigational treatments, and complementary and alternative therapies).
• Living With Lupus (the physical manifestations).
• Coping With Lupus (the emotional and personal aspects).

In addition, several fact sheets discuss specific areas of organ involvement. They include the musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, renal, nervous, and GI systems, as well as the skin.

Developed in consultation with leading experts in SLE and persons who are affected by the disease, the LFA publications feature easy-to-read language within a simple layout. They are appropriate for use in physicians’ offices, hospitals and clinics, health fairs, schools, and education programs.

The LFA has produced another series, Quick Guides, which provides information about the impact of lupus on specific population groups-African Americans, Asians, American Indians, and Hispanics/Latinos-who are at greater risk for the disease. Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese, and Japanese versions and additional titles are expected to be available later in 2008.

The LFA also reported on study findings on the genetics of lupus published recently in Nature Genetics and the New England Journal of Medicine, citing the identification of several genes that are linked to lupus as significant. With these findings, development of new treatments aimed at the underlying problem rath just the symptoms may be possible, the LFA stated.

For more information about SLE and the Lupus Foundation’s patient education series, visit the LFA Web site at http://www.lupus.org. Or, contact the organization at Lupus Foundation of America, Inc, National Office, 2000 L Street, NW, Suite 710, Washington, DC 20036; telephone: (202) 349-1155; information request line: (800) 558-0121; fax: (202) 349-1156.