"UNVEIL" Survey Reveals a Life Interrupted by Lupus
"Throughout the course of their disease, people with lupus experience significant symptoms such as pain, fatigue, depression, cognitive issues and physical impairment that impact every facet of life," explains
Survey Findings
The Lupus Journey Often Begins With a Long, Complicated Path to Diagnosis
- On average, it takes nearly six years for people with lupus to be diagnosed from the time they first notice their lupus symptoms.
- A majority of people with lupus surveyed (63 percent) report being incorrectly diagnosed. Of those reporting incorrect diagnosis, more than half of them (55 percent) report seeing four or more different health care providers for their lupus symptoms before being accurately diagnosed.
The Severe Impact of Lupus Proves a Challenge to Treat
- On average, people with lupus surveyed take nearly eight prescription medications to manage all their medical conditions including lupus.
- Of the 23 percent of people with lupus who experience severe lupus flares all or most of the time over the last three months, 40 percent were admitted to the hospital at least once during the past 12 months, with an average stay of 10.5 days.
Lupus Interrupts Every Facet of Life
Work-life
- For the majority of people with lupus surveyed (89 percent), lupus impacts their work life.
- More than half (55 percent) of people with lupus surveyed whose work is affected are working part-time, intermittently or are unemployed because of lupus.
- Almost three-quarters (74 percent) of caregivers report that caring for someone with lupus has an impact on their work productivity.
- A large proportion (41 percent) of caregivers surveyed are only able to work part-time or intermittently, or are unemployed, with nearly half (45 percent) of those indicating caregiving responsibilities being the reason. In addition, 60 percent note they spend 16 or more hours per week helping loved ones with lupus.
Family-life/Daily Living
- More than 75 percent of caregivers surveyed help a loved one with lupus with daily activities, such as cooking, shopping, household chores and providing financial help.
- Eighty-four percent of people with lupus surveyed indicate they feel they are a burden to their family and friends due to their inability to perform daily activities. In addition, 94 percent indicate that lupus interferes with their ability to enjoy life.
- Nearly three in four people with lupus surveyed (76 percent) said fatigue limits their ability to participate in social activities. For caregivers, nearly half surveyed (49 percent) replied that caregiving responsibilities impact their ability to socialize with friends.
Mental Health
- The majority of people with lupus surveyed feel anxious (90 percent) and depressed (85 percent) due to their lupus.
- More than 94 percent of caregivers surveyed experience increased anxiety and stress in relation to their caregiving, worrying that their loved one with lupus will become sicker.
"Lupus goes well beyond joint pain and fatigue. For me, it has derailed my life and impacted not only me but everyone around me," said
UNVEIL life's interruptions with lupus. To learn more, visit lupus.org/UNVEIL.
About Lupus
Lupus is an unpredictable and misunderstood autoimmune disease that ravages different parts of the body. It is difficult to diagnose, hard to live with and a challenge to treat. Lupus is a cruel mystery because it is hidden from view and undefined, has a range of symptoms, strikes without warning, and has no known cause and no known cure. Its health effects can range from a skin rash to a heart attack. Lupus is debilitating and destructive and can be fatal, yet research on lupus remains underfunded relative to diseases of similar scope and devastation. For more information, visit lupus.org.
About the Survey
The survey was conducted online by ICON Commercialization & Outcomes on behalf of the
About the
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About Eli Lilly and Company
Lilly is a global healthcare leader that unites caring with discovery to make life better for people around the world. We were founded more than a century ago by a man committed to creating high-quality medicines that meet real needs, and today we remain true to that mission in all our work. Across the globe, Lilly employees work to discover and bring life-changing medicines to those who need them, improve the understanding and management of disease, and give back to communities through philanthropy and volunteerism. To learn more about Lilly, please visit us at www.lilly.com and http://newsroom.lilly.com/social-channels.
P-LLY
Contact info:
Name: Lauren Topf
Email: topf@lupus.org
Phone: 301-424-8546
Lilly:
Name: Kelley Murphy
Email: kmurphy@lilly.com
Phone: 317-701-4007
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