Lupus
Historical and
Contemporary Overview
The history Lupus goes back to 400
BC when Hippocrates began diagnosing skin lesions. Although not aware, the
lesions that were listed as herpes were in fact signs and symptoms of
Lupus. Over time and leading into the 12th
century terms began to change based on the location of the lesion and/or
ulcers. By the mid-19th century facial and upper body skin diseases
began to be known as Lupus erythematosus and Lupus vulgaris. Throughout this
time more signs and characteristics of the disease began to develop and studies
began to show variations. Lupus was not evolving but it was becoming more
complexed while remain the same. During the 1900’s scientist and medical
professionals began to associate Lupus with other disease. One case that
existed was in a female child whom showed one of the first signs of the now
known butterfly facial rash. This pattern is known as an immediate sign of possible
Lupus diagnosis. Emmanuel Libman and Benjamin Sacks then studied the body and
blood and confirmed the relation of the erythema. This was in conjunction of a
previous study conducted by Olser. With the help of this information and
conclusion they named the disease as Libman-Sacks Syndrome.
The studies continued on and used
several patients that had diverse levels of skin diseases. The studies even
included those whom were interrelated to have syphilis. The test conducted for
syphilis gave false positives for those whom carried the lupus gene. This
allowed further understanding of the connection and metamorphosis of the SLE (systemic
lupus erythematosus) and LE (lupus erythematosus) antibodies. Hargraves gave us
the final understanding that brought together years of study, research and
misconceptions. Lupus was finally able to be tested as a single disease and the
classifications then began to develop.
The American College of Rheumatology (ACR) used Hargraves classifications and developed them until around 1997. The set classifications allowed immediate medical care in patients that may have had mild symptoms. Even with the knowledge and studies some still remain underdiagnosed and/or not diagnosed at all due to not having active symptoms. As in earlier times patients would require the physical sign of lesions and/or ulcers. Now there are blood tests that can confirm the presences of SLE or LE.
Stereotypes and
Stereotypical Thinking
One of the primary stereotypical thinking
for Lupus is that it does not exist. Many see lupus as a non-invasive ailment
that happens to only older women. That is all false SLE/LE can happen to anyone
no matter race, color or nationality. There are a greater percentage of women diagnosed
with SLE/LE. However, men can also have Lupus and both can die from it if not
treated. Leading to another myth that people cannot die from SLE/LE, instead just
have poor health.
Stereotyping Lupus patients as not
caring about health is something that is seen throughout the medical environment.
SLE/LE ailments can mimic other symptoms.
Allowing Lupus to be misdiagnosed or
underdiagnosed because of symptoms that are concealed by others. Lupus is
usually diagnosed between the teen years and/or before 30 years of age. During
that time treatment is often focused on age rather than symptoms. For example,
a young man age 20 has a rash with muscle and joint pain. Physician will assume
young, active and will treat with over the counter medications. There would not
be a thought that this rash could be SLE/LE, thus no testing. Only after approximately
6 months to a year of treatment, will the physician considered other
alternative issues. Lupus is generally the last testing to be completed in
younger adults.
Cultural Perceptions
However, those whom are treated
often resent the treatment or do not like the side effects of medications or
the disease. Lupus can take over and leave burdens on life and its changes.
SLE/LE can cause physical limitations due to internal organ damage. To correct
these issue patients must adhere to a strict medication regime. This can be retributive
in teen to early adult ages. Not to mention both emotionally and mentally
challenging. Imagine living a life by medications and exercise but no enjoyment
of career or family. Depending on the access to treatment and severity of the
disease this is the life of those living with Lupus.
Works Cited
Color Atlas of Pediatric Dermatology Samuel Weinberg,
N. S. (2008). Vascular, Lymphatic and Systemic Conditions. Retrieved
May 25, 2021, from MedicineNet:
https://www.medicinenet.com/image-collection/systemic_lupus_erythematosus_1_picture/picture.htm
David J. Tunnicliffe, D. S.-G.-W. (2015, September
28). Lupus Means Sacrifices: Perspectives of Adolescents and Young Adults
With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. Retrieved May 26, 2021, from Wiley
Online Library: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/acr.22749
Medicine (Baltimore). (2018, October 19). Diagnosis
of systemic lupus erythematosus by presence of Hargraves cells in eosinophilic
pleural effusion. Retrieved May 25, 2021, from NCBI:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6211931/
Norman, R. A. (2016, January 19). Lupus: Open
Access. Retrieved May 25, 2021, from www.longdom.org:
https://www.longdom.org/open-access/the-history-of-lupus-erythematosus-and-discoid-lupus-fromhippocrates-to-the-present-Lupus-1000102.pdf
