Of 10 people with lupus, nine are women: IMSS

Known as "the great imitator", the lupus it's a disease It causes a variety of symptoms, ranging from weight loss to unexplained fatigue, to heart, lung and kidney damage that can be fatal without accurate diagnosis.

Therefore, the Mexican Institute of Social Security (IMSS) performs the detection and rapid treatment of this disease, key to achieving a better quality of life for those who suffer from it, and even lead a completely normal life.

The doctor Rocío Catana Hernández, a specialist attached to Rheumatology Department of the specialized hospital of the Siglo XXI National Medical Center, indicated that the May 10 commemorate the World Lupus Day, which aims to make this disease more visible and better known, and in particular, that the population learns to detect the main signs of alarm and go to a doctor, he said.

A person must suspect lupus and consult a doctor when they suffer from joint pain for several weeks, which do not improve or are not treated; fever without apparent cause, as well as fatigue and weight loss not related to the effort of daily activities; spots on the skin that worsen with sun exposure; In laboratory tests, you can record a significant decrease in white, red, or platelet count, which is essential for fighting diseases in the body.

He explained that there was no specific cause for the onset of lupus, but several factors predisposed: genetic factors, especially the mere fact of being a woman, l & rsquo; Use of a hormonal drug as a family planning method to mitigate the hormonal changes of the system. Pregnancy A simple viral infection, he added, could be the "trigger" for the onset of lupus, immune system dysfunction.

According to the specialist, 9 out of 10 people suffer from the disease and the highest prevalence is between 20 and 40 years; He added that although this is less common, it also happens in younger women, but when that happens, the condition is more aggressive.

Data from Division of Health Information of the IMSS indicate that, for four consecutive years (2014 to 2017), the Institute provided an average of 130 thousand consultations treat the most common form of the disease, which is Systemic lupus erythematosus. In Mexico, says the specialist, it is estimated that per 100,000 inhabitants, 20 people are suffering this bad.

Dr. Catana Hernandez said that currently Social Security offers a variety of medications, depending on the type of manifestation of the disease; when they are mild, they react favorably orally to steroids, anti-inflammatories and immunosuppressants; if the cases are already moderate or severe, steroids are also provided, but in large doses, which can be administered to the hospital for surveillance in case of complications or drugs injected through the vein to control the antibodies that attack the cells of the body.

Currently, he said, lupus is controllable when it is detected in time, whereas only 20 years ago, between 70% and 80% of people with the disease died as a result. damage to the heart, lungs and / or kidneys.

With information from López-Dóriga Digital