HEALTH

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As societies evolve on economic, dietary and education facets, inter alia, so too does the prevalence of diseases in that society. Continuous monitoring and appreciation of such patterns in disease is critical for the public health sector of a country as this directs efforts related to reducing morbidity (sickness) and mortality (death rates) amongst its population. In this article we shall focus our attention on an illness that is seeing a rising prevalence among South Africans; South African women particularly: Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), a form of Lupus, is an inflammatory condition that affects multiple organs in the body. The cause of Lupus remains largely unknown but it is understood to be an autoimmune disease. An autoimmune disease is a disease in which the body’s immune system unfortunately attacks its own healthy tissue. Examples of other autoimmune diseases include Rheumatoid arthritis and Type 1 Diabetes.

Other forms of lupus can be induced by taking medications such as isoniazid (Tuberculosis treatment) and hydralazine (Hypertension treatment).

SLE occurs worldwide and more than 90% of cases occur in women with symptoms usually starting in their child-bearing age.

The ratio of patients between females and males is 9:1 with cases occurring more commonly in Africans and Asians.

As mentioned, SLE can affect multiple organs in the body therefore a variety of symptoms can potentially be experienced by an individual. Symptoms typically follow a remitting and remission course.

MBBCh (Wits)