LUPUS IS
CHARACTERIZED BY:

Icon: antibodies

Pathological production of autoantibodies such as ANA1,4

Icon: disease activity

Waxing and waning disease activity1

Icon: Inflammation in multiple organ systems

Inflammation in multiple organ systems5

Icon: B and T cells

Abnormal activation of B
and T cells6,7

ANA = antinuclear antibodies.

Icon: Patient silhouettes

APPROXIMATELY HALF OF
PATIENTS WITH
LUPUS
EXPERIENCE PERMANENT
ORGAN
DAMAGE WITHIN
5 YEARS OF DIAGNOSIS2,3*†

* Damage in SLE is defined as an irreversible tissue injury occurring after diagnosis of SLE and lasting at least 6 months. SLICC/ACR Damage Index (SDI) is the internationally agreed and validated measure of organ damage.8,9

† Cohort analysis of 298 patients followed for a minimum of 5 years by the SLICC International Research Network, comprising 27
centers from 11 countries. Year 0 represents time of enrollment. Mean age at enrollment was 35.3 years. Fifty percent of patients
acquired organ damage at Year 5.3 Retrospective analysis of records from 401 patients (232 patients with ≥10 years of consistent
follow-up) attending the University College London Hospital SLE clinic between 1978-2004. Year 0 represents time of diagnosis. Mean age at diagnosis was 31.2 years. Thirty-three percent of patients acquired organ damage at Year 5.2

SLE = systemic lupus erythematosus; SLICC/ACR = Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics/American College of
Rheumatology.

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HOW LUPUS
AFFECTS THE BODY

Icon: Disease activity

 

Lupus disease activity

Disease activity includes all signs and symptoms or laboratory abnormalities due to lupus-related pathophysiology.5,8

Clinical and/or serological disease activity may be present. Selected features may include8:

  • Inflammatory/non-inflammatory symptoms in any system
  • Autoantibodies (eg, ANA)
  • Low complement C3 and/or C4
  • Increased gamma globulin serum levels

Persistent disease activity can contribute to organ damage.8,10,11
Reduced disease activity is an achievable goal for many patients with lupus.12

Icon: Flares

Flares

A flare is a measurable increase in disease activity and includes new or worse clinical symptoms and/or laboratory abnormalities.5

Lupus flares, persistent disease activity, and the prolonged use of corticosteroids in the long-term management of lupus can all contribute to organ damage.3,8,10,11,13

Various tools, including
SELENA-SLEDAI, can be
used to
measure disease
activity.

SELENA-SLEDAI Tool

ANA = antinuclear antibodies; SELENA-SLEDAI =
Safety of Estrogens in Lupus Erythematosus: National
Assessment version of the
Systemic Lupus
Erythematosus Disease Activity Index.

Treat
underlying
disease and
help
your
patients
achieve their
treatment goals

Image: Patient with hand in her pocket
Image: Patient with hand in her pocket