A 47-year-old female asked:
What is the average age of death for a lupus patient?
2 doctor answers • 2 doctors weighed in

A Verified Doctoranswered
Rheumatology 53 years experience
Hard to say: Sometimes it is the average age of everyone else. Many people with lupus have modest disease and can be controlled without immunosuppressive therapy. In these instances, most have a normal life expectancy. For those with more sever disease, it depends on the organs involved, the severity of that involvement and the meds used to treat it.
5.1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago

Dr. Tracy Lovellanswered
Internal Medicine - rheumatology 22 years experience
Difficult to say : Life expectancy has improved over the years for lupus patients. Used to, patients with lupus were more apt to die from complications of their disease and infections as a result of the therapies.
Now with better recognition and therapy for lupus, we are beginning to see more death as a result of cardiovascular disease. Thus; it all the more important to have follow with your primary and your rheu.
5.1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Last updated Sep 28, 2016
People also asked
Connect with a U.S. board-certified doctor by text or video anytime, anywhere.
24/7 visits - just $39!
50% off with $15/month membership
Disclaimer:
Content on HealthTap (including answers) should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and interactions on HealthTap do not create a doctor-patient relationship. Never disregard or delay professional medical advice in person because of anything on HealthTap. Call your doctor or 911 if you think you may have a medical emergency.