Lupus Life Insurance

• Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) affects around 15,000 people in England and Wales
• around 90% of those with Lupus are female
• The most common age range is 15-50
• Lupus is more common in those from an African or Asian decent
• Around 1 in 3 people with SLE will go on to develop Lupus Nephritis (usually within 5 years of diagnosis)

Lupus is a disease which causes problems with the autoimmune system making it become overactive. There are different forms of Lupus… there are some types of Lupus that just affect the skin – such as Discoid Lupus Erythematosus and Subacute Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus. The most common and severe form is Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE).

Symptoms can vary hugely between those with Lupus, some experiencing mild symptoms occasionally and others with regular and severe symptoms.

The main symptoms experienced are:

• Fatigue – Tiredness even after plenty of sleep and just carrying out daily tasks
• Joint pain – Typically in the hands and feet. These pains do not cause progressive damage to the joints
• Rashes – Most often on the face, wrists, and hands. One common form is across the bridge of the nose and cheeks and is often known as a ‘butterfly rash’. These can last for just 14 days or be permanent. Sometimes rashes are painful and itchy.