Systemic Lupus Erythematosus - Risk Factors

Risk Factors

Gender

About 90% of lupus patients are women, most diagnosed when they are in their childbearing years. Hormones may be an explanation. After menopause, women are only 2.5 times as likely as men to contract SLE. Flares also become somewhat less common after menopause in women who have chronic SLE.

Age

Most people develop SLE between the ages of 15 - 44. About 15% of people who are eventually diagnosed with lupus develop symptoms before age 18.

Race and Ethnicity

African-Americans are three to four times more likely to develop the disease than Caucasians and to have severe complications. Hispanics and Asians are also more susceptible to the disease.

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Family History

A family history plays a strong role in SLE. A brother or sister of a patient with the disorder has 20 times the risk as someone without an immediate family member with SLE.

Environmental Triggers

In genetically susceptible people, there are various external factors that can trigger symptoms (flares). Possible SLE triggers include colds, fatigue, stress, chemicals, sunlight, and certain drugs.

Viruses. Some research suggests an association between Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), the cause of mononucleosis, and increased risk of lupus, particularly for African-Americans.

Sunlight. Ultraviolet (UV) rays found in sunlight are important SLE triggers. UV light is categorized as UVB or UVA depending on the length of the wave. Shorter UVB wavelengths cause the most harm.

Smoking. Smoking may be a risk factor for triggering SLE and can increase the risk for skin and kidney problems in women who have the disease.

Chemicals. While no chemical has been definitively linked to SLE, occupational exposure to crystalline silica has been studied as a possible trigger. (Silicone breast implants have been investigated as a possible trigger of autoimmune diseases, including SLE. The weight of evidence to date, however, finds no support for this concern.) Some prescription medications are associated with a temporary lupus syndrome (drug-induced lupus), which resolves when these drugs are stopped.