Bhubaneswar, May 10: Not known to many, Lupus is an autoimmune
disease which usually affects women in the age group of 20 to 50 years but can be
treated to ensure the patient led a normal life, Prof. (Dr.) Pradipta Sekhar Patro,
Head of Department of Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology at the Institute of
Medical Sciences and SUM Hospital here said on Sunday.
The immune system in the human body comprises a huge network of cells
which is designed to protect humans from the environment and guard against any
damage to the body’s own cells. But sometimes the system sends out confusing
signals causing the body defenses to attack its own cells, Prof. (Dr.) Patro said at a
news conference organised to mark the World Lupus Day.
This leads to autoimmune diseases of which Lupus, also known as ‘Systemic
Lupus Erythymatosis’, is one. Lupus is difficult to diagnose as different patients
may display different symptoms, he said adding it can affect the patient’s skin,
joints, blood, heart, kidney and even brain.
To mark the day, a rally was organised in the city by IMS and SUM Hospital
with around 200 persons including doctors, nurses and healthcare personnel
marching from the busy Master Canteen square to the Ram Mandir square to
spread awareness about Lupus and how to fight the disease. Ms. Surama Padhi,
Speaker of the Odisha Legislative Assembly, and Mr. Babu Singh, local BJP
legislator, joined the rally in which Prof. (Dr.) Pusparaj Samantasinghar, Medical
Superintendent of the hospital and Prof. (Dr.) Patro was present.
Ms. Padhi said that Lupus mostly affected young girls and there was need
for spread of awareness about the illness to fight this menace. Mr. Singh
complimented IMS and SUM Hospital for organizing the awareness program
against Lupus and providing the treatment against the disease.
Prof. (Dr.) Patro told the press conference, which was also attended by
Prof. (Dr.) Sanghamitra Mishra, Dean of IMS and SUM Hospital, that the disease
often manifested itself with the appearance of reddish malar rash, flat or raised
over the cheek bones and known as ‘butterfly rash’ due to its shape, which is a
classical symptom of Lupus.
Lupus is also called the ‘great imitator’ because its symptoms mimic many
other diseases causing confusion and making it difficult to diagnose the ailment,
he said.
The disease, however, is not contagious. But the patients should avoid
sunlight which is known to aggravate Lupus, Prof. (Dr.) Patro said adding in about
60 to 70 per cent of the patients, the disease affects the kidney.
Although there is no permanent cure, it is possible for majority of Lupus
patients to lead normal lives if diagnosed and treated at the right time, he said.
EARLY DIAGNOSIS CAN HELP BATTLE LUPUS: EXPERT
