Systemic lupus erythematosus can cause the pregnant woman to die

Systemic lupus erythematosus is a chronic disease that usually affects the skin, joints, blood and kidneys, but there are cases in which it can affect other organs.

Our immune system manufactures antibodies that protect the body against bacteria, viruses, etc., but in case of suffering from lupus, the immune system loses the ability to distinguish its own substances from foreign ones, so the system attacks the tissues and own cells causing inflammation, pain, tissue damage, etc.

Systemic lupus erythematosus causes those who suffer from it to suffer medical complications, but with pregnancy these complications can increase considerably. According to a study by researchers at the Duke University Medical Center (North Carolina), lupus can lead to the death of the pregnant woman. Previous studies have shown that pregnancy can increase the level of lupus activity, increasing symptoms and dangers in women and even causing problems to the fetus.

From the study, elaborated on 18 million pregnant women between 2000 and 2002, and which will be presented today at the annual meeting of the US College of Rheumatology, it appears that women with lupus were at 20 times greater risk of dying than women who did not suffer from the disease.

Pregnant women suffering from lupus should be closely monitored throughout pregnancy and the puerperium by rheumatologists and obstetricians, as they are high-risk pregnancies. They should follow their changes carefully and any problems that arise should be communicated immediately to their doctor.

The figures taken from the research led by Dr. Megan Clowse, show that for every 100,000 women with lupus, 325 die.

Lupus is a pathology in constant study and science advances every day in search of healing, we look forward to the news that the death figures are zero.

Video: Systemic Lupus Erythematosus SLE (March 2024).