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Southeast Florida Chapter
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Lupus Facts
Lupus
is a chronic, autoimmune disease which causes inflammation of
various parts of the body, especially the skin, joints, blood and
kidneys. The immune system normally protects the body against
viruses, bacteria and other foreign materials. In an autoimmune
disease like lupus, the immune system loses its ability to tell the
difference between foreign substances and its own cells and tissues.
The immune system then makes antibodies directed against "self".
Lupus is NOT infectious, rare or cancerous.
LFA market research data show that
between 1,400,000 and 2,000,000 people have been diagnosed with
lupus. (Study conducted by Bruskin/Goldring Research, 1994). Lupus
is more prevalent than AIDS, sickle cell anemia, cerebral palsy,
multiple sclerosis and cystic fibrosis combined.
Incidence of Lupus in Southeast Florida
County
Population
Lupus Cases
Brevard
536,161
2,898
Broward
1,759,591
9,511
Martin
139,182
752
Miami-Dade
2,387,170
12,903
Monroe
73,223
396
Okeechobee
40,311
218
Palm Beach
1,266,451
6,846
St. Lucie
260,939
1,410
TOTALS
6,463,028
34,934
Computations based on population figures available March, 2007, show that 34,934 persons who have lupus reside in the seven counties served by the Southeast Florida Chapter of the Lupus Foundation of America - Palm Beach, Martin, St. Lucie, Okeechobee, Broward, Miami/Dade and Monroe. This total represents one-third of the total number of lupus cases in Florida. Miami/Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties combined account for 27,066 lupus victims, around 30 percent of the state total. These figures are based on the national statistic that one of every 185 persons has lupus. These figures may be conservative in Southeast Florida due to the large and growing number of ethnic minority populations, which have a higher than average incidence of lupus, such as Hispanics, Haitians and African Americans. Although the cause of lupus is unknown, scientists suspect that individuals are genetically predisposed to lupus, and know that environmental factors such as infections, antibiotics, ultraviolet light, extreme stress and certain drugs play a critical role in triggering lupus. Lupus affects 1 out of every 185 Americans. Although lupus can occur at any age, and in either sex, 90% of people with lupus are women and during the child bearing years lupus strikes women 10-15 times more frequently than men. Lupus is more prevalent in African Americans, Latinos, Native Americans and Asians.
Only 10% of people with lupus will have a close relative (parent or sibling) who already has or may develop lupus. Only about 5% of the children born to individuals with lupus will develop the illness.
Lupus can be difficult to diagnose as the symptoms come and go and mimic many other illnesses. Some symptoms of lupus can be transient joint and muscle pain, fatigue, a rash caused by or made worse by sunlight, low grade fevers, hair loss, pleurisy, appetite loss, sores in the nose or mouth or painful sensitivity of the fingers to the cold.
Sunlight, infection, injury, surgery, stress or exhaustion can trigger "flare-ups" of lupus (a more active state of the disease).
Although lupus ranges from mild to life-threatening and thousands of Americans die with lupus each year, the majority of cases can be controlled with proper treatment.
Increased professional awareness and improved diagnostic techniques and evaluation methods are contributing to the early diagnosis and treatment of lupus. With current methods of therapy, 80-90% of people with lupus can look forward to a normal life span.
While medical science has not yet developed a method for curing lupus, new research brings unexpected findings and increased hope each year.
The Lupus Foundation of America has over 70 local chapters directly providing patient services, education, awareness and research in their local areas.
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LFA Southeast Chapter provides support and services in: |
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