Lupus and Progressive Organ Damage

Organ damage can accrue over time in people with lupus and is influenced by lupus disease activity, co-morbid conditions, and/or lupus treatments.  In Arthritis Care and Research, 64:132-7, 2012, a study of 298 people newly diagnosed with lupus from 27 centers in 11 countries, assessed organ damage as related to steroids and studied antibody levels in the various patient populations.  The results suggest that organ damage in people with lupus may accumulate even over a time period during which lupus disease activity is well-controlled.  It may be that, upon a new diagnosis of lupus, treatment regimens successfully keep disease activity low but steroid treatments, in particular, may promote other non-lupus complications over time.  The results also highlight that lupus patients from minority groups (particularly Asians and Hispanics) may experience greater disease activity, both upon lupus diagnosis and for five years afterward.   There are sophisticated blood antibody tests that show the propensity for organ damage in lupus patients.

Robert G. Tupac, DDS, FACP, Inc., Diplomate, American Board of Prosthodontics (661) 325-1275 | www.drtupac.com 5060 California Ave., #170, Bakersfield, CA 93309