Most of the diagnosed lupus cases are sporadic, meaning there is no known relative with the disease. There is no single gene or gene group proven to cause lupus, but when one identical twin has lupus, the chance that the other twin will also get lupus increases significantly.
There are certain ethnic groups in which we see high numbers of lupus cases. This could be related to the common genes that they share.
If you show no symptoms of lupus, checking for autoantibodies in the blood will not be an effective screen for the presence or absence of lupus.
If there is someone with lupus in your immediate family, the entire family should pursue a healthy, active lifestyle. Protection from the sun is encouraged. If pain, rashes, chest pain, or joint pain develops, you and your family should go for evaluation by your doctor. Don’t forget to bring up the lupus cases in your family history.
