A survey of LUPUS UK members found that the average time between somebody experiencing their first symptom and receiving a diagnosis of lupus is seven and a half years. Alarmingly this delay in diagnosis has stayed the same over a number of decades.

Lupus is a disease with many manifestations, and each person's profile or list of symptoms may be different. Lupus can mimic other diseases, such as multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis. Combine this with the fluctuating nature of symptoms in many lupus patients, and it is clear why it can often be overlooked by a GP or Consultant. This can delay final diagnosis and a vital start to necessary treatment that may contain the disease and limit potential damage to the kidneys, heart, lungs or brain.

Please share your story about getting diagnosed with lupus and help us to stop this delay!

You can get more information about lupus from our website;
www.lupusuk.org.uk