Three types of lupus:
More than 16,000 Americans develop lupus each year.
* Discoid: Discoid (cutaneous) lupus is always limited to the skin. It is identified by a rash that may appear on the face, neck, and scalp and does not generally involve the body's internal organs. In approximately 10 percent of patients, discoid lupus can evolve into the systemic form of the disease, which can affect almost any organ or system of the body. Treatment of discoid lupus will not prevent its progression to the systemic form.
* Systemic: Systemic lupus is usually more severe than discoid lupus, and can affect almost any organ or system of the body. Generally, no two people with systemic lupus will have identical symptoms. Most often when people mention "lupus," they are referring to the systemic form of the disease.
* Drug-induced: Drug-induced lupus occurs after the use of certain prescription drugs, and the symptoms are similar to those of systemic lupus. The drugs most commonly connected with drug-induced lupus are hydralazine (used to treat high blood pressure or hypertension) and procainamide (used to treat irregular heart rhythms). Only about 4 percent of the people who take these drugs will develop the antibodies suggestive of lupus. The symptoms usually fade when the medications are discontinued.
Sources: Lupus Foundation of America, Lupus Multiplex Registry and Repository
