Lupus

Disease hub

Supporting patients and caregivers with reliable information, research updates, and a community that understands your journey.

Autoimmune

Rare disease

SLE

About the condition

What is lupus?

Lupus is a long-term autoimmune disease. This means the immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s own healthy cells and tissues, which can lead to inflammation and damage in different parts of the body, including the skin, joints, kidneys, heart, and lungs.

While lupus has several forms, this hub focuses primarily on systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), the most common and complex form of the disease. Because lupus symptoms can change over time and overlap with other conditions, diagnosis and disease management may be challenging.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)

The most common form, affecting multiple organ systems including the kidneys, heart, and joints.

Cutaneous lupus

Primarily affects the skin, causing rashes and lesions, most often triggered by sun exposure.

Drug-induced lupus

A lupus-like syndrome triggered by certain medications, which usually resolves when the drug is stopped.

Neonatal lupus

A rare condition affecting newborns of mothers with certain antibodies; often temporary.

Common symptoms

Fatigue

Joint pain or swelling

Skin rashes

Fever

Hair loss

Mouth sores

Living with lupus

Managing life with an unpredictable condition

Lupus can affect daily life in many ways. Some people experience periods of increased symptoms, often called flares, followed by periods where symptoms are more controlled.

Fatigue, uncertainty, and the invisible nature of symptoms can make lupus difficult for others to understand. Caregivers and family members often carry a significant weight too.

On average, people with lupus wait around 6 years from their first symptoms before receiving a correct diagnosis.

Research

Research and new treatments

Research in lupus is active and evolving. Current focus areas include:

Better treatments

Research is developing therapies that more precisely target the immune pathways involved in lupus, with fewer side effects.

Earlier diagnosis

Studies working to reduce the diagnostic delay many patients experience due to overlapping symptoms.

Disease activity monitoring

Improving tools to track flares and measure how well treatments are working over time.

Patient experience

Understanding how lupus affects daily life, and how care can better reflect what patients actually need.

Not sure what research participation involves? We’ll walk you through it.

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Don’t navigate this alone

Stay informed about lupus research, care developments, and news.

Research updates

Educational resources

Research opportunities

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