Late Onset Lupus

A reprint from Lupus Foundation of America Article Library 2001

• Lupus can occur at any age, in either sex, in any race.
• 15% of people with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus ( SLE ) develop it later in life after age 55.
• Late onset lupus affects women 8 times more often than men. Compared with younger SLE patients, late onset lupus affects a higher percentage of men.
• Late onset lupus is found primarily in Caucasians, but occurs in all races.
• Symptoms in most cases are relatively mild and commonly include: arthritis, pleurisy ( chest pain with deep breathing ), pericarditis ( inflammation of the sac around the heart ), muscle aches, dry eyes and dry mouth ( Overlap syndrome ).
• Uncommon symptoms include: fever, swollen lymph glands, seizure, psychoses, and Raynaud's Phenomenon ( fingers turn blue or white in the cold ).
• Because symptoms of lupus in older people mimic other diseases, eg. rheumatoid arthritis, Sjogren's syndrome, polymyalgia rheumatica, distinguishing among them is difficult and may result in a delayed or missed diagnosis.
• Severe kidney involvement is less common in late onset lupus.
• The average age of onset is 59 years; average age at diagnosis is 62 years.
• As a rule, older people with lupus do better and their lupus can be managed with conservative therapy. When corticosteroids are required, symptoms are controlled with lower doses ( ie. less than 25 mg/day for one month ).
• Drug-induced lupus occurs more often in older people because they are more likely to have conditions ( high blood pressure, heart disease ) that require treatment that may cause the symptoms of lupus. Symptoms generally fade when the medication is discontinued.
• People with late onset lupus have a good survival rate and rarely die of the disease or complications of therapy when treated conservatively.

Disclaimer :
The Lupus Group of WA ( Inc ) does not recommend or endorse any products, drugs, treatments, procedures, medical or health professional in this article. We suggest you discuss this information with your doctor or specialist.