KOTA KINABALU: At least 40 to 60 new cases of lupus are reported in Sabah every year, and yet not many even know about this potentially deadly disease.
lupus, or Systemic lupus Eritematosus (SLE) is a chronic inflammatory disease that occurs when the immune system attacks the body’s own tissues and organs.
SLE Sabah Association advisor, Dr Eleen Chong, said since last year alone the Reumatologi Unit of Queen Elizabeth Hospital had registered 127 patients with lupus, while the Nefrology Unit had recorded 220 patients with lupus-related kidney damages.
lupus is life threatening disease which causes damage to various organs. It is usually diagnosed among those aged 15 to 44 and its very frustrating when it attacks young patients, such those who are still in school, she said during the Lupus Awareness Campaign Day at Universiti Malaysia Sabah, yesterday.
Inflammation caused by lupus can affect many different body systems including the joints, skin, kidneys, blood cells, brain, heart and lungs.
The disease can be difficult to diagnose because its signs and symptoms often mimic those of other ailments.
The most distinctive sign of lupus, a facial rash that resembles the wings of a butterfly unfolding across both cheeks, occurs in many but not all cases of lupus.
Some people are also born with a tendency towards developing lupus, which may be triggered by infections, certain drugs or even sunlight.
While there’s no cure for lupus, treatments can help control symptoms.
A worrying fact about lupus is that many patients come for treatment at a very late stage. Sometimes, the disease is only diagnosed a few months or even years after the early symptoms occurred.
As a result, the patients usually suffer organ damages and show signs of anxiety and depression due to their ailments, she said.
UMS Medical and Health Science Faculty’s expert, Dr Malehah Mohd Nor, said there was a great need to increase public awareness on lupus in Sabah, where most people have never even heard about the disease until it’s too late.
She said creating awareness on lupus was important given that the disease requires immediate treatment and the number of patients infected is considerably high.
Up until now, scientists and doctors around the world are still trying to determine the actual cause of the disease. Studies showed that genetic and other factors such as exposure to sunlight, stress, or even hormonal changes can be a contributing factor, she said.