World Lupus Day, 10 May 2023 | Theme, Importance & Control

World Lupus Day is a global healthcare event commemorated every year on May 10th to raise awareness about this critical condition; that calls for an in-depth understanding and support for each individual who has been impacted in addition to increase the funds for more research.

On this day, many local and international organisations, communities, patient advocates, and healthcare professionals gather together for a day of action to promote understanding about the disease so that people throughout the world can learn more about this crippling condition and fight against it.

Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease caused when the immune system attacks its own tissue, resulting in pain and inflammation of the body tissues. There are four various types of lupus: systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE), drug-induced lupus, and neonatal lupus, where SLE is the most common one. Lupus is often described as an "invisible disease" as its symptoms might fluctuate and mimic those of other medical conditions such as fever, joint pain, skin rashes, and internal organ issues (kidney, heart, lungs and brain), leading to misdiagnosis of lupus condition. 

Importance of World Lupus Day (WLD)

Lupus affects anyone and is typically diagnosed between the ages of 15 and 44 years; however, females are more affected than males, which might be due to increased production of oestrogen hormones, as oestrogens are known immune system modulators; they influence cytokine production and play a role in the lupus pathogenesis.

Studies estimate that at least 50 lakh people are suffering from lupus globally, where 34 lakhs (68%) are affected with SLE, with an estimated prevalence of 43.7 (15.87 to 108.92) per 1,00,000 people. This complex, debilitating disease can be fatal; nonetheless, general awareness of the condition is extremely low. 

Due to the general public's lack of awareness of lupus, very little is known about this condition. According to a global survey, in 2016, only around one-third of people (39%) knew that lupus affected joints. The rest are all blissfully unaware of the condition. 

• 51% are unaware of complications associated with lupus
• 36% of respondents were not aware of what lupus is
• 13% believed that lupus is a sexually transmitted disease
• 11% have a false perception that lupus is a kind of a bacteria

In addition, it also stated that many people with SLE underreport their symptoms to their physician or rheumatologists because they do not connect their symptoms to their condition. The common severe symptoms reported by SLE patients are fatigue, joint pains, muscle and light sensitivity.

Another global survey conducted by World Lupus Federation (WLF) revealed 89% of lupus-affected patients reported that their quality of life was hampered with at least one of the following due to organ impairment such as

• Being unemployed and financially unstable
• Unable to participate in social events
• Transport challenges
• Mental health problems

In light of the above survey results, it is clear that more work has to be done to increase public understanding of lupus and support researchers' efforts to develop better treatment options to curb the symptoms. The disease can usually be controlled well by early detection and careful medical attention to subside the symptoms, which reduces the further risk of organ damage.

World Lupus Day takes the pledge of creating awareness about the condition among the local people and healthcare governing bodies, enlightening about the disease's severity, funds required for deep research and providing mental support for all the affected people and their families. 

World Lupus Day 2023 theme

This year, 2023, the theme for World Lupus Day (purple day) is "Make Lupus Visible", intending to increase public awareness about lupus diagnosis and its psychological, social, and economic consequences. In addition, the campaign focus on urging the World Health Organisation to consider lupus as one of the international health priorities.

History of World Lupus Day (WLD)

World Lupus Day was founded in 2004 by Lupus Canada to shed light on the disease, which may have devastating effects on both those who have it and their loved ones. Lupus groups from 13 countries joined together and raised voices against their respective governments to increase the funds for research, better patient care, more incidence data, and awareness. Since then, more and more nations across Africa, Asia, Australia, North and South America, and Europe have begun celebrating the day annually.

Controlling Lupus

Although no single treatment is guaranteed to improve a lupus patient's condition, the following lifestyle adjustments can aid in improving day-to-day management.

• Adhering to prescribed medication
• Maintaining a regular exercise
• Quitting alcohol and smoking
• Applying sun protection creams
• Having enough sleep
• Reducing stress

Department of General Medicine