What Causes Lupus?
Medically reviewed by David Ozeri, MD
The exact causes of lupus are largely unknown. Research has shown that a combination of hormonal, genetic, environmental, and immunologic factors can increase the risk of developing the condition.
Lupus is an autoimmune disorder that causes inflammation. The immune system mistakenly attacks healthy cells when a person develops lupus or any other autoimmune disorder. Lupus affects several organs and body parts, including the skin, lungs, kidneys, joints, muscles, and heart.
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Related: What Causes a Weak Immune System?
Is Lupus Hereditary?
Lupus tends to run in families, as with many other autoimmune disorders. Having a family history of lupus doesn't guarantee you will develop the disease. It's important to note that people do not inherit the condition itself in most cases. People instead inherit genetic mutations that increase or decrease their risk of developing lupus.
Keep in mind that:
Having a genetic mutation does not guarantee you will develop the condition.
Lupus affects each person differently.
Not all people with lupus developed the condition because of a genetic mutation.
Who Gets Lupus?
Anyone can get lupus, but some people are more likely to develop it than others. The following risk factors may increase your likelihood of developing lupus:
Age: Lupus is most common in women aged 15–44.
Ethnicity: Black women are more likely to develop lupus compared to White women. Lupus is also more common in Hispanic, Asian, Native American, and Alaskan Native women.
Geography: Lupus has increasingly become more common in industrialized Western countries. Researchers believe people living in Africa and Asia have lower rates of lupus compared to Western countries.
Sex: Lupus is more common in women than in men.
Risk Factors
Researchers do not 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 attempted 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)
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 can increase the risk. Mutations in multiple genes most often increase your chances of developing the condition.
Immunologic and Inflammatory
Lupus is an autoimmune disorder, so most people with it have changes related to how their immune system works. Cells undergo apoptosis when they are damaged or no longer needed in the immune system. Apoptosis is a process that causes the self-destruction or death of the cells. These cells usually exit the body when they are no longer in use.
Research has shown that dead cells remain in the bodies of those 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 found 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, which is commonly used in cleaning powders, soil, pottery materials, and cement
Getting certain infections, such as the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), which can cause inflammation in your immune system
Having a current or past history of smoking cigarettes
Using or being exposed to ultraviolet (UV) light
Related: 18 Causes of Brain Fog
A Quick Review
Lupus is a complex autoimmune disorder that causes the immune system to attack healthy cells in the skin, kidneys, heart, and lungs. The exact causes of lupus are largely unknown. Researchers hypothesize that a combination of hormones, genes, immune system function, and environmental factors can increase the risk of lupus.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is lupus deadly?
Lupus is not typically fatal, although symptoms can significantly impact the quality of life. The disorder can be deadly in more severe cases that involve multiple organs.
2. How is lupus diagnosed?
A healthcare provider can make a diagnosis of lupus using a combination of tests. Diagnosis may include a physical exam, blood tests, and imaging tests.
3. What are the symptoms of lupus?
There are various lupus symptoms, which can range from fatigue and chest pain to weight loss and hair loss. One symptom common among people with lupus is a distinct "butterfly rash" that expands across the face on the cheeks and nose.
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