Bhubaneswar: Lupus, an autoimmune disease that predominantly affects women aged 20 to 50, can be effectively managed to allow patients to lead normal lives if diagnosed and treated early, Head of Department of Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology at the Institute of Medical Sciences and SUM Hospital here, Prof Pradipta Sekhar Patro said on Sunday.
Dr Patro highlighted these points while addressing a press conference organised to observe World Lupus Day. He explained that the human immune system, which normally protects the body from external threats, sometimes malfunctions and attacks its own healthy cells, leading to autoimmune disorders. One such condition is Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), commonly known as Lupus. “The disease is challenging to diagnose because symptoms vary widely among patients,” he said.
It can impact multiple organs, including the skin, joints, blood, heart, kidneys, and even the brain.
To raise awareness, IMS and SUM Hospital
organised a rally in the city that saw around 200 participants, including doctors, nurses, and other healthcare workers, marching from Master Canteen Square to Ram Mandir Square. Odisha Legislative Assembly Speaker Surama Padhy and local BJP legislator Babu Singh joined the march, along with hospital Medical Superintendent Prof Pusparaj Samantasinghar and Dr Patro.
Padhy said that Lupus mostly affected young girls and there was need for spread of awareness about the illness to fight this menace. Singh complimented IMS and SUM Hospital for organising the awareness program against Lupus and providing the treatment against the disease.
During the press conference, also attended by IMS and SUM Hospital Dean Prof.Sanghamitra Mishra, Dr Patro described the classic “butterfly rash” — a reddish malar rash across the cheekbones — as a hallmark symptom of Lupus. He noted that the condition is often called the “great imitator” because its symptoms can mimic those of many other diseases, complicating diagnosis. Lupus is not contagious, but patients are advised to avoid direct sunlight, which can trigger flare-ups.
Dr Patro added that the kidneys are affected in 60 to 70 per cent of cases. While there is no permanent cure for Lupus, the expert emphasised that timely diagnosis and proper treatment enable the majority of patients to live normal, productive lives.