Lupus Occurrence

Lupus affects up to 1.4 million people in the United States. About 9 out of 10 people who have lupus are women. Lupus is 3 times more common in black women than in white women. It is also more common in women of Hispanic/Latina, Asian, and American Indian descent. Black and Hispanic/Latina women tend to develop symptoms at an earlier age than other women. African Americans have more severe organ problems, especially with their kidneys.