Lupus Foundation of Jamaica Promoting Public Awareness

The Lupus Foundation of Jamaica (LFJ) is underscoring the critical importance of lupus awareness as part of the entity’s ongoing efforts to support those affected by the chronic autoimmune disease.

Lupus, which affects an estimated five million people globally, including thousands of Jamaicans, often remains widely misunderstood, leading to delayed diagnosis and inadequate management.

President of the LFJ and Rheumatologist, Dr. Désirée Tulloch-Reid, emphasised that awareness of lupus is crucial in improving patient outcomes, while addressing a Jamaica Information Service (JIS) ‘Think Tank’ at the agency’s head office in Kingston on Tuesday (October 22).

“Lupus is a complex and often invisible illness that can affect any part of the body, from the joints and skin to the kidneys and brain. Early diagnosis and appropriate management are crucial. Awareness can lead to earlier diagnosis, which can minimise organ damage, improve survival and enhance the quality of life for those affected,” she said.

Approximately 90 per cent of the persons affected by lupus are women, with the disease most prevalent among females of childbearing age, often between 15 and 44 years.

Dr. Tulloch-Reid pointed out, however, that “we may find some manifestations a little bit more commonly in men”.

“So, for instance, the proportion of men involved that may have kidney disease may be higher. We also find that men may have more aggressive forms of skin disease which can cause scarring, and this may occur a little higher among the men who are affected,” she informed.

The Afro-Caribbean population experiences higher rates of lupus, and its manifestations are typically more severe than in other groups.

Dr. Tulloch-Reid informed that this underscores the urgent need for early diagnosis and comprehensive care.

“Many individuals suffer for years without knowing they have lupus or are misdiagnosed with other conditions. This can happen easily because lupus is often called the great imitator because it mimics many other illnesses with symptoms like joint pain, fatigue and skin rashes and may be dismissed or attributed to other common conditions, causing delayed diagnosis, unnecessary suffering and even life-threatening complications,” she further indicated.

To further educate the public, healthcare professionals and policymakers about the disease, the LFJ is observing Lupus Awareness Month from October 7 to November 3 with wide-ranging sensitisation efforts.

These include media campaigns, community outreach and educational presentations at schools, workplaces and churches.

“Awareness is critical, not only among the general public, but also among medical professionals and policymakers. We need the medical community to be educated in the diagnosis and treatment of lupus, and we need policymakers to allocate adequate resources to address the needs of those affected,” Dr. Tulloch-Reid emphasised.

“Our goal is to create a more supportive environment for those living with lupus and to promote early diagnosis and effective management,” she added.

The LFJ will also host its annual educational symposium, slated for the University of the West Indies (UWI) Regional Headquarters in St. Andrew on November 3, beginning 9:30 a.m. The event will feature scientific presentations by local and international experts.

“This symposium uniquely brings together the medical community as well as patients and the public in a shared learning experience. We bring the latest in state-of-the-art knowledge about the management and treatment of lupus and we also engage with the voices of patients in our discussion, and these are always free to the public,” Dr. Tulloch-Reid told JIS News.

For more information about lupus and the Lupus Foundation of Jamaica’s initiatives, or to register for the symposium, visit www.lupusfoundationjamaica.org or contact the LFJ at 876-778-3892.