LIFE VS LUPUS: THE JOURNAL OF THE HEALTH VISITORS' ASSOCIATION

ABSTRACT

Lupus is a long-term autoimmune condition where the body's immune system starts to attack healthy issues, causing inflammation to the joints, skin and organs such as the kidneys, lungs, heart and the brain. Th e most common form of lupus is systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). It's a relatively rare condition that affects around 98 people in every 100,000 (Rees et al, 2014). Around 90% of lupus cases are diagnosed in females and it's most common in women of child-bearing age--but it can also affect people of other ages, including children (Lupus UK, 2020). People from a black and minority ethnic (BAME) background including those of African, Caribbean or Asian origin have an increased risk of developing lupus.