Lupus is an autoimmune disease that can damage any part of your body, for example skin, joints, internal organs. Lupus is not a contagious disease; you cannot catch it from someone or give it to someone else. It is also a chronic disease that can flare with times when symptoms are worse and times when it is remission and you have no symptoms at all. In times of flare symptoms can last for weeks or even years. When a person has lupus, their immune system has become overactive. A normal immune system produces antibodies to fight foreign invaders when we are sick. An immune system in a person with lupus cannot tell the difference between a foreign invader and normal healthy cells and it attacks normal cells and cause inflammation, pain and damage to these cells. The good news about Lupus is that with a doctor’s care, people with Lupus can lead a normal, happy life.
Unfortunately, there is a problem with people adhering to their Lupus medications. A recent study done by the University of California and Brigham and Women’s hospital in Boston has revealed that most Medicaid patients are not adhering to their medications. They found that only 32-56 % of patients were following their prescribed plan. In most cases less than 1 in 3 were adhering to their doctor’s prescribed plan! Lupus treatment plans are very important, because not only do they treat the symptoms that the patient is currently experiencing, they also can reduce organ damage and heart disease, thus making the long term outcome for patients better.
It is not clear why patients are not adhering to their treatment plans. One factor could be the cost of the prescriptions. Medicaid and insurance companies do cover these medications, but even low copays can be a problem for those with a lower income. Education is also a factor, as patients may stop taking the prescriptions because they do like certain side effects and it has not been explained to them how the drugs work and how the benefits outweigh the side effects. If the side effects are too unpleasant, patients should talk to their doctors as sometimes the dosage can be adjusted, or the medication can be changed as we have many options available now to treat lupus.
Regardless of the reason, adherence is a problem in Lupus patients. If a Lupus patient adheres to their medications then their quality of life and future health outcome is much better. If a lupus patient does not adhere to their medications then they can have serious organ damage and a very poor quality of life. Education and honest communication between patients and doctors can help, and if you have Lupus it is important to take control of your disease and to follow the treatment plan set up by your doctor to ensure that you can feel your best and live a long and healthy life.