Is lupus a fatal disease?

Sometimes: People can die from complications from lupus such as renal failure, heart attacks, stroke, infection, medications etc. But many people also live long and healthy lives with lupus and die from something else. The severity of disease in different people can cover a wide range from mild irritation to deadly, depending on that persons specific manifestations.

Can be, not usually: In the 1950s, 60% of lupus patients died within five years. Now, more than 90% survive beyond five years. Many lupus patients have non-life threatening disease. Kidney or brain involvement portends a worse prognosis.