For most, lupus is a mild disease affecting only a few organs. But for some, it may cause serious and even life-threatening problems. Systemic lupus is the most common and debilitating form of the disease, and can affect almost any organ or system in the body. Generally, no two people with systemic lupus will have identical symptoms. Patients may have periods of remission in which few, if any, symptoms are evident.
Environmental factors play a critical role in triggering lupus flares.
These include opportunistic infections, some types of antibiotics, ultraviolet light, extreme stress, certain drugs, and hormones. Unfortunately, there is no single laboratory test that can confirm a diagnosis of lupus. As a result, patients often endure months or even years of intermittent symptoms before discovering the cause. Family members and even physicians sometimes dismiss a patient as simply being neurotic, compounding a person's suffering and anxiety. The LFA suggests that if a family doctor is unable to help, patients should seek the expertise of a rheumatologist or clinical immunologist specializing in lupus.