What does a late lupus diagnosis at age 68 mean?
Being diagnosed with lupus at 68 puts you in the late-onset lupus category, which typically refers to lupus appearing at age 50 or older. You're not alone—between 3 and 18 percent of people are diagnosed with lupus after age 50.
Late-onset lupus can be particularly challenging Show Full Answer
What does a late lupus diagnosis at age 68 mean?
Being diagnosed with lupus at 68 puts you in the late-onset lupus category, which typically refers to lupus appearing at age 50 or older. You're not alone—between 3 and 18 percent of people are diagnosed with lupus after age 50.
Late-onset lupus can be particularly challenging to diagnose. Many people experience symptoms for years before getting answers, as one MyLupusTeam member shared: "I have had issues and felt sick for so many years and was not diagnosed until I was 63."
Common symptoms in late-onset lupus include:
- Arthritis
- Mouth sores
- Fever
- Lung disease
- Serositis (inflammation around body cavities)
Interestingly, some typical lupus symptoms appear less frequently in late-onset cases, like butterfly rash, hair loss, and kidney inflammation.
The good news is that late-onset lupus often shows less severe disease activity initially, though it can progress more slowly and affect organs over time. Treatment focuses on managing symptoms and achieving remission, similar to earlier-onset lupus, though doctors may reduce steroid use to prevent complications like diabetes and osteoporosis.
March 27
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