Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCommon Risk FactorsDemographic Risk FactorsGeneticsFrequently Asked QuestionsNext in Lupus GuideHow Lupus Is Diagnosed
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Common Risk Factors
Demographic Risk Factors
Genetics
Frequently Asked Questions
Next in Lupus Guide
It won’t be until the science catches up with the disease that we will truly understand its roots. In the meantime, we can look at contributors believed to factor into lupus as scientists understand them now.
Lupusis anautoimmune diseasein which your immune system malfunctions, prompting your body to attack its own tissues.These factors are considered common potential culprits:
Hormones
Research suggests that hormonal factors are linked to autoimmune disease, though research is still in its infancy and the link between the two is still nebulous.
90% of people with lupus are female, suggesting hormones play an important role.
However, female hormones like estrogen do not appear to cause lupus. Rather, they appear to increase risk in those who are already susceptible to developing the disease.
Infection
Viruses and bacteria may play a part in the development of lupus, but a direct causal link has not been established. However, infection is cited as one of the most common potential triggers for developing lupus. Viruses and bacteria may also cause lupus flares.
Medications
Additionally, allergies to medications are seen more often in people with lupus that has just been diagnosed than in those without lupus.
Environment
Environmental factors, though not specifically proven, are believed to potentially trigger lupus and/or lupus flares and may include:
Certain hair dyes, pesticides, topicals, and even alcohol were once believed to be lupus triggers, but that has been disproved.
The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) has been linked to lupus in children and adults.
Lifestyle
Certain choices you make for yourself, as well as how you weather challenges both physically and mentally, can also play a role in the development of lupus.These three factors are commonly considered:
Ancestry, age, and gender all influence the risk of developing lupus (SLE):
A family history of lupus does not mean you will develop the condition, only that you’re more susceptible.
To date, there are more than 50 genes that scientists have linked to lupus, though it hasn’t been proven that theycauselupus, just that they may contribute.
The Role of Antigens
An antigen is a substance that enters the body and stimulates an immune response, particularly the production of antibodies, which fight what the body perceives as an invader. Antigens can derive from toxins, bacteria, foreign blood cells, and the cells of transplanted organs. In patients with lupus, particularly SLE, the immune system attacks antigens in healthy tissues—so-called auto-antigens or self-antigens.
In other words, normal tolerance of these autoantigens has beenlost in lupuspatients, mainly due to genetic and environmental factors. In people with lupus, antibodies directed against auto-antigens like double-stranded DNA and the Smith (Sm) antigen are helpful in diagnosis. These antibodies directed against auto-antigens are called auto-antibodies.
Lupus is a systemic autoimmune disease that affects the whole body, including the kidneys,eyes, joints, skin, nervous system, blood cells, and blood vessels.
In other words, it takes a number of coincidental, unfortunate events—a perfect storm, so to speak.
Women of childbearing age are at the greatest risk for developing lupus. Women make up between 80% and 90% of people diagnosed with lupus, with most diagnoses occurring between ages 15 and 45.
Since the exact cause of lupus is still undetermined, there is currently no way to prevent getting lupus.
How Lupus Is Diagnosed
11 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Maidhof W, Hilas O.Lupus: An overview of the disease and management options.P T.2012;37(4):240-9.
Mcdonald G, Cabal N, Vannier A, et al.Female bias in systemic lupus erythematosus is associated with the differential expression of x-linked toll-like receptor 8.Front Immunol. 2015;6.
Francis L, Perl A.Infection in systemic lupus erythematosus: Friend or foe?.Int J Clin Rheumtol.2010;5(1):59-74. doi:10.2217/ijr.09.72
Solhjoo M, Goyal A, Chauhan K.Drug-induced lupus erythematosus. In:StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing; 2024.
Mak A, Tay SH.Environmental factors, toxicants and systemic lupus erythematosus.Int J Mol Sci. 2014;15(9):16043-56. doi:10.3390/ijms150916043
Pons-estel GJ, Alarcón GS, Scofield L, Reinlib L, Cooper GS.Understanding the epidemiology and progression of systemic lupus erythematosus.Semin Arthritis Rheum. 2010;39(4):257-68. doi:10.1016/j.semarthrit.2008.10.007
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.People with lupus.
Vaughn SE, Kottyan LC, Munroe ME, Harley JB.Genetic susceptibility to lupus: The biological basis of genetic risk found in B cell signaling pathways.J Leukoc Biol. 2012;92(3):577-91. doi:10.1189/jlb.0212095
Castro C, Gourley M.Diagnostic testing and interpretation of tests for autoimmunity.J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2010;125(2):S238-S247. doi:10.1016/j.jaci.2009.09.041
Lupus Foundation of America.What causes lupus?Mayo Clinic.Lupus.Schur PH, Hahn BH.Epidemiology and pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus. UpToDate.Lee AY, Ang EB.A Clinical Overview of Autoantibodies in General Practice Rheumatology.The British Journal of General Practice. 2014;64(626):e599-e601. doi:10.3399/bjgp14X681601.
Lupus Foundation of America.What causes lupus?
Mayo Clinic.Lupus.
Schur PH, Hahn BH.Epidemiology and pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus. UpToDate.
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
