What should you know?
You probably know that lupus is alifelong illness, and you know how you feel today.
But how will the disease treat you as you grow older?
Hero Images / Hero Images / Getty Images
Aging with lupus is not all negative.
Fatigue can also be progressiveand sedentary behavior related to the accumulation of lupus damage aggravates fatiguethat is already present.
Physical therapy or orthopedic surgery mean additional clinic visits, more pain, and higher healthcare costs.
Osteoporosis Is Common
With age, progressive bone loss may result inosteopeniaorosteoporosis.
Having lupus puts you at an increased risk of osteoporosis, for several reasons.
The sedentary lifestyle that living with lupus often demands also raises the risk.
Finally, there is acting like a direct link between lupus and bone loss.
Fractures due to bone loss are more common with lupus, especially spinal (vertebral) fractures.
The risk for men with lupus is elevated as well.
Fortunately, there are ways to reduce your risk.
If your healthcare provider hasn’t checked your vitamin D level, ask for it to be done.
Postmenopausal women with lupus who are considering HRT should discuss the benefits and risks with their healthcare providers.
Even without lupus, people tend to age better when they maintain a healthy diet and get regular exercise.
Take a moment to review measures you could take to reduce your risk of slips and falls.
Of course, regular healthcare visits are important to manage any of your potential risk factors.
With age, symptom activity with lupus often declines, but symptoms you already have may grow more severe.
The accumulation of damage over years may result in the need for joint replacements or other treatments.
The risk of osteoporosis-related fractures is much higher among people with lupus than in the general population.
Several medications can reduce fracture risk if you do develop bone loss.
Practicing caution and thinking about fall prevention is probably equally helpful.
Along with a reduction in symptom activity, the risk of lupus nephritis may decline with age.
And people of any age with lupus can achieve prolonged remission.
Montoya-Ortiz G.Immunosenescence, aging, and systemic lupus erythematous.Autoimmune Dis.
2013;2013:267078. doi:10.1155/2013/267078
National Kidney Foundation.Pain medicines (analgesics).
2018;13(3):e0193728.
Int J Mol Sci.
Harvard Health Publishing, Harvard Medical School.Osteopenia: when you have weak bones, but not osteoporosis.
Cagnacci A, Venier M.The controversial history of hormone replacement therapy.Medicina (Kaunas).
2019;55(9).
Rheumatology (Oxford).
Published online January 7, 2025. doi:10.1093/rheumatology/keaf004
Cleveland Clinic.Menopause: non-hormonal treatment & relief for hot flashes.
2015;74(12):2117-22. doi:10.1136/annrheumdis-2015-207347
Johns Hopkins Lupus Center.5 things to avoid if you have lupus.
2019;28(2):163-173. doi:10.1177/0961203318817826
National Institute on Aging.Prevent falls and fractures.
Johns Hopkins Lupus Center.Lupus and cancer.
Bultink IE, Lems WF.Lupus and fractures.Curr Opin Rheumatol.
2016;28(4):426-32. doi:10.1097/BOR.0000000000000290
Johns Hopkins Lupus Center.Lupus primer.
2016;27(4):1413-1423. doi:10.1007/s00198-015-3449-7
