Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

March 23, 2013

APA Style

Sharon Lipka MA, BS (CTE), C-RT(R) AS, ARRT, CTE

Allen School of Health Sciences

MIBC-112 Internship / Examination Preparation

Medical Insurance Billing & Coding

William Toth

12TO5099

What causes lupus remains for the most part as much a mystery as it was for my own family in the late 1970’s and early 1980’s when first my father, and then my brother ultimately succumbed to the disease. No one really knows. Scientists think that people are born with the genes to develop lupus and that something brings on or triggers the disease and symptoms. However, a combination of genetics (heredity), environment and hormones are involved. (Lupus Foundation of America, Inc., 2013)

There are no factors currently associated with causation regarding this disease. No gene or group of genes has been proven to cause lupus. Lupus does, however, appear in certain families, and when one of two identical twins has lupus, there is an increased chance that the other twin will also develop the disease. These findings, as well as others, strongly suggest that genes are involved in the development of lupus. Although lupus can develop in people with no family history of lupus, there are likely to be other autoimmune diseases in some family members. Certain ethnic groups (people of African, Asian, Hispanic/Latino, Native American, Native Hawaiian, or Pacific Island descent) have a greater risk of developing lupus, which may be related to genes they have in common. (Lupus Foundation of America, Inc., 2013) I recall the fact that my father was full blooded Hungarian confounded his doctors at the time back then. Lupus strikes mostly women of child bearing age with women of color being two to three time more likely to contrast the disease.

Because lupus can involve so many different organs, a wide range of symptoms can occur. In my father’s case the disease targeted his cardiovascular function. He ultimately ended up...