Life Expectancy for Lupus Patients
The life expectancy for lupus patients who actively control and manage their disease through a comprehensive treatment program is essentially the same as the normal life expectancy for anyone else. In most circumstances, assuming early diagnosis and proper treatment, lupus is no longer considered to be an immediately life threatening disease.
Diagnostic History
Historically, this has not always been the case. As recently as the 1970’s, the life expectancy for lupus patients was typically very limited following diagnosis. Tremendous strides have been made in terms of the diagnosis and treatment of lupus in recent years, which have led to an increased life expectancy for lupus patients. Recent advances in diagnostic capabilities and treatment options have made early detection and effective treatment much more common. The end result of such advances had been to make it possible to extend both the overall quality of life and the life expectancy for most lupus patients.
This does not, however, mean that lupus is not a serious disease. As a chronic autoimmune disorder, lupus can be both debilitating and life threatening. To enjoy a high quality of life and normal life expectancy, lupus patients must actively participate in the process of managing their disease. It is vital for lupus patients to realize that the disease can be fatal if managed poorly or left untreated. To maximize life expectancy, lupus patients must follow their prescribed treatment programs and communicate with their physicians on a regular basis. They must be diligent about seeking medical attention at the first signs of a lupus flare. By doing so, patients become active participants in managing their illness and reducing the potential for long-term negative consequences. Complications that arise from lupus flares and infections that are not properly treated may well be fatal.
Quality of Life
Quality of life and life expectancy for lupus patients varies greatly, based on the severity of the illness and how long the disease is present before diagnosis and treatment begins. The extent to which the disease has progressed at the onset of treatment greatly impacts the life expectancy for lupus patients. When caught early, lupus can be treated and brought largely into remission before the occurrence of serious organ damage. However, left untreated over a period of time, lupus can lead to serious problems with vital internal organs, including the brain, heart, lungs, and kidneys. Such damage can severely compromise the life expectancy for lupus patients.
Treatment Advances
Fortunately, as the medical community has become more knowledgeable about the signs and symptoms of lupus, earlier diagnosis of the disease has become more common. Treatment advances that have greatly impacted increases in quality of life and life expectancy for lupus patents include corticosteroid drugs, such as Prednisone, which provides needed immunosuppressant properties; improved antibiotics drugs that can more aggressively fight infections; advances in chemotherapy treatment; and kidney dialysis procedures for those patients whose kidneys have been damaged by lupus.
Although lupus remains a very serious disease that can be both debilitating and fatal, the outlook in terms of life expectancy for lupus patients has improved dramatically in recent years, and will continue to improve as medical research leads to further advances in the diagnosis and treatment of lupus.
