Lupus: The unknown, yet common, disease
Lupus is a widespread and chronic disease that, for unknown reasons, causes the immune system to attack the body’s own tissues and organs, including the joints, kidneys, heart, lungs, brain and skin. Lupus, an important disease for rheumatologists, is considered as a prototype of autoimmune diseases. It is associated with many auto-antibodies and the disease can affect any organ in the body. Moreover, the medications used to treat lupus may sometimes be harmful. Consequently, the management of this chronic disease is an art, trying to adequately control the disease, and at the same time, minimizing the side effects of the medications.
Professor of Rheumatology Khaled El-Hadidi is a leading specialist in lupus. Last year, he attended a meeting in Riyadh, which celebrated the establishment of the Saudi society of Rheumatology, and this month, he is co-chairing a session during this 10th Pan Arab Rheumatology Conference. Prof. El-Hadidi acknowledges that people in the region know too little about lupus, but he believes that one should start, first, by educating the junior doctors before the public.
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"It looks so very, very different from person to person," said Christine John-Fuller, president and CEO of the Lupus Foundation of America's Piedmont Chapter. "For one person, it's a skin manifestation and it's a rash or hair loss.
