Next Steps

Outlook

The prognosis varies depending on whether there is serious organ inflammation (for example kidney or brain involvement).

Many lupus patients have very limited disease and live relatively normal lives with minimal problems. Others have multiorgan involvement with kidney failure, heart attacks, and strokes. The diversity of outcomes reflects the diversity of the disease.

With respect to fertility, women with lupus are just as capable of becoming pregnant and having children as the general population. However, there is a much higher occurrence of complications in pregnancy, especially if the kidneys are involved by the disease. Women whose lupus has been inactive for six to 12 months are more likely to have a successful pregnancy. In addition, antibodies formed in the mother that are transferred from mother to fetus can occasionally affect the infant, leading to rashes, low blood counts, or more seriously a slow heart rate due to complete heart block (neonatal lupus). For these reasons, all women with lupus who are or who desire to become pregnant should consult with their treating rheumatologist or other treating physicians and should be referred for "high-risk" obstetric care.

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Lupus - Symptoms at Onset of Disease

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The symptoms of lupus can vary greatly from patient to patient. What were your symptoms at the onset of your disease?

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