UCB is committed to improving the lives of people with lupus
Posted by
10-May-2016
Every day, more than five million people around the world struggle with the symptoms of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), commonly known as lupus . UCB is committed to improving their lives.
Today, on World Lupus Day, we take the opportunity to acknowledge the challenges faced by people with lupus – and to salute the efforts made by those working to raise awareness and bring innovative solutions to this underserved population.
Lupus is a potentially fatal autoimmune disease which can affect multiple organ systems including the skin, joints, kidneys, brain, blood, heart and lungs. Common symptoms include fatigue, fever, joint pain, skin lesions and chest pain.
Patients often develop a characteristic butterfly-shaped rash across their cheeks and nose. Additional symptoms may be present depending on the organs affected.
Patients usually experience alternating periods of remission—during which disease activity is low and symptoms may ease—and periods of high disease activity known as flares, when symptoms worsen. During flares, the immune system attacks healthy tissue causing inflammation that can lead to organ damage.
The goals of lupus treatment are to suppress the overactive immune system, reduce inflammation, control symptoms, prevent flares and minimise damage to organs.
The majority of those affected are women aged 15-44. The disease is more common in women than men, and two to three times more common in women of color than in Caucasian populations.
In general, people with lupus have an increased risk of mortality, and live with debilitating symptoms and manifestations that often significantly diminish their quality of life. As a result, they face significant psychosocial issues, including maintaining steady employment.
World Lupus Day was first observed in 2004. Since then, activities on World Lupus Day aim to heighten public awareness, improve patient healthcare services, increase research into the causes for and a cure for lupus, and better epidemiological data on lupus globally.
UCB is committed to playing its part in improving the lives of those affected by lupus, on World Lupus Day – and every day.
Learn more about lupus.
Today, on World Lupus Day, we take the opportunity to acknowledge the challenges faced by people with lupus – and to salute the efforts made by those working to raise awareness and bring innovative solutions to this underserved population.
Lupus is a potentially fatal autoimmune disease which can affect multiple organ systems including the skin, joints, kidneys, brain, blood, heart and lungs. Common symptoms include fatigue, fever, joint pain, skin lesions and chest pain.
Patients often develop a characteristic butterfly-shaped rash across their cheeks and nose. Additional symptoms may be present depending on the organs affected.
Patients usually experience alternating periods of remission—during which disease activity is low and symptoms may ease—and periods of high disease activity known as flares, when symptoms worsen. During flares, the immune system attacks healthy tissue causing inflammation that can lead to organ damage.
The goals of lupus treatment are to suppress the overactive immune system, reduce inflammation, control symptoms, prevent flares and minimise damage to organs.
The majority of those affected are women aged 15-44. The disease is more common in women than men, and two to three times more common in women of color than in Caucasian populations.
In general, people with lupus have an increased risk of mortality, and live with debilitating symptoms and manifestations that often significantly diminish their quality of life. As a result, they face significant psychosocial issues, including maintaining steady employment.
World Lupus Day was first observed in 2004. Since then, activities on World Lupus Day aim to heighten public awareness, improve patient healthcare services, increase research into the causes for and a cure for lupus, and better epidemiological data on lupus globally.
UCB is committed to playing its part in improving the lives of those affected by lupus, on World Lupus Day – and every day.
Learn more about lupus.
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