Can lupus run in families?

Minimally, but yes!: More correctly, there is a higher incidence of auotimmune diseases or all types, related to sle, but not necessarily sle. Since lupus is a 1/1000 disease, the likelyhood of a direct offspring having sle is 1/50. So although increased likelyhood is present, the chances are still quite low!

Rheumatologic issues: The specific diagnosis of lupus wouldn't run in families as much as the tendency towards rheumatologic conditions in general - that tendency runs in families - lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, Sjögren's syndrome, scleroderma. Can find all of these in family lineages.