How Possible is Prolonged Remission for Lupus?
Studies find that women are more likely to develop lupus than men.
Every individual with systematic lupus erythematosus or lupus is affected by the illness differently-members of the family, siblings, or even twins living in the same environments may discover that their course of the disease presents quite differently from one another.
Medical reports indicate that the first five years of diagnosis can be specifically uncertain because patients and their doctors discover the best-customized treatment plan. However, as the medical treatment for lupus progresses, many wonder if their disease can go into an extended or prolonged remission.
Most studies refer to remission as the symptoms' resolution for three months or longer. However, according to researchers, the number can vary, with some research referring to remission as a "resolution of symptoms for three years or more."
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Study Findings on Prolonged Remission
A 2015 Italian research study showed that more than a third of lupus patients treated depending on current standards were able to attain prolonged remission.
Another research found that "a high baseline of treatment" was the major predictor of more prolonged remission times.
Specifically, according to this research, African-American ethnicity, "Baseline low complement C3 and baseline hematological activity," were linked to extended remission time for all descriptions. Study authors found remission's median duration for all definitions was three months.
Other studies still contend that genetic and environmental factors may play an even more vital role than compliance to medicine in achieving remission.
Lupus, According to Sex and Ethnicity
Lupus disproportionately affects women, reportedly, particularly "Black identifying women of color of African or LatinX descent."
In fact, some previous research presented that women of color are 10 times more likely to develop lupus compared to men, and three times more likely to have the disease compared to white women. Thus, much of the focus of the research was on this population.
Despite the rising SLE awareness, as well as advancement in treatment, death among SLE patients remain high, and further research should be done to seek a reason for such a high mortality rate.
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An Autoimmune Condition
Experts in this condition describe lupus as a chronic autoimmune condition that leads to inflammation throughout the body.
In some patients, a lupus flare can appear as joints inflammation; chest pain, more particularly when breathing; extreme tiredness; low fevers; swelling of the hands; headaches; and sensitivity to fluorescent light and sunlight.
Episodes of flaring followed by natural remission of the disease are said to be typical. It remains unknown in the medical community why there is an occurrence of this "relapsing and remitting course."
In some individuals, lupus stays in a chronic "state of activity" while others may experience flare just once every couple of years, or ever 1- years and be in an inactive state the rest of the period.
The Probability of Regular Intake of Medicine Resulting in Prolonged Remission
Many people ask if lupus can go into prolonged remission if they take their medication regularly. Medical expert's simple answer is "maybe."
This condition is unpredictable. Moreover, clinical remission does not essentially mean that one is not experiencing flares or symptoms anymore.
As earlier mentioned, some studies have shown early treatment of the illness can increase a person's chances of sustaining or attaining prolonged remission of their lupus symptoms.
Still, even with strict compliance to an anti-inflammatory diet, workout diet, and obedience to customized medication treatment, lupus is unpredictable, and no definite guidelines exist that promise long remission.
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Sep 21, 2020 08:00 AM EDT
