Causes and Risk Factors of Lupus

Lupus occurs when your immune system mistakenly attacks healthy cells. The exact causes are largely unknown. A combination of hormonal, genetic, environmental and immunological factors can increase your risk of developing this condition.

Lupus affects several organs and parts of the body, including the skin, lungs, kidneys, joints, muscles and heart.

Lupus is often hereditary, but a family history does not guarantee that you will develop the disease.

Keep in mind that:

• Having a genetic mutation does not guarantee that you will develop the disease.
• Lupus affects everyone differently.
• Not everyone with lupus developed the disease because of a genetic mutation.

The following risk factors may increase your risk of developing lupus:

• Age: Lupus is most common in women aged 15 to 44.
• Ethnic origin: Black women are more likely to develop lupus than white women. Lupus is also more common in Hispanic, Asian, American Indian, and Alaska Native women.
• Geography: Lupus has become increasingly common in Western industrialized countries. Researchers believe that people living in Africa and Asia have lower rates of lupus than those in Western countries.
• Sex: Lupus is more common in women than in men.

Researchers don’t know the exact underlying cause of lupus, but they have identified some risk factors. Hormones, genes, environment, and immune system function can all influence your risk of developing lupus.

Hormonal

Lupus is almost 10 times more common in women than in men. Experts have tried to understand the role of hormones in the development of lupus. Some evidence suggests that hormones may explain why more women than men have lupus.

These hormones include, but are not limited to:

• Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)
• Estrogen
• Estradiol
• Prolactin
• Progesterone
• Prolactin
• Testosterone

Genetic

Certain genes may play a role in the development of lupus. More research is needed, but some evidence suggests that genetic variations may increase risk. Mutations in multiple genes most often increase your chances of developing the disease.

Immunological and inflammatory

Lupus is an autoimmune disease, so most people who have it have changes related to the way their immune system works. Cells undergo apoptosis when they are damaged or no longer needed by the immune system. Apoptosis is a process that causes cells to self-destruct or die. These cells usually leave the body when they are no longer used.

Research has shown that dead cells remain in the bodies of people with lupus. These cells release substances or toxins that can trigger inflammation in the immune system. The immune system begins to attack healthy tissues within different organs of the body, eventually manifesting the physical symptoms of lupus.

Environmental

Research has shown that certain environmental factors can influence your risk of developing lupus. These factors include:

• Being allergic to certain medications, such as antibiotics
• Exposure to silica dust, commonly used in cleaning powders, soil, pottery materials and cement
• Certain infections, like the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), can cause inflammation in your immune system.
• Have a current or past history of smoking
• Using or being exposed to ultraviolet (UV) light