Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), a chronic system autoimmune disease that can affect any part of the body resulting in inflammation and tissue damage, occurs nine times more often in women than in men.
The SLE most often harms the heart, joints, skin, lungs, blood vessels, liver, kidney and nervous system and the course of the disease is unpredictable, with periods of illness alternating with remissions.
Expert physicians in Bangladesh informed that there are thousands of people have been suffering from SLE over the times but many of them remain unidentified due to lack of proper diagnosis.
Prof Syed Atiqul Haq, Chairman of Department of Medicine in Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, has said although SLE is not curable but it can be controlled with taking medicine and changing lifestyle.
Aiming at creating awareness and taking preparedness among patients he held a lengthy discussion meeting on Thursday at the city's Green Life Medical College where his SLE patients from across the country, scores in number, attended the meeting and shared views with the experts.
“It's very essential for the SLE patients to lead their lifestyle in scientific way to control the disease taking medicines regularly and undergoing medical tests as per doctor's advice,” Prof Atique said.
Emphasising on boosting patients' mental strength he said the SLE patients should carry on their normal life with courage in heart, leaving out all sorts of frustrations to achieve the goal.
“Changing lifestyle, taking fresh diets with fish, vegetables, fruits and milk and regular exercise, avoiding fat and additional salts, can help the SLE patients keeping in normal health,” he said.
The disease occurs especially between the age of 15 and 50, and is more common in those of non-European descent. In Asia SLE patients are mostly found in Hong Kong and China, he added.
Prof Atique mentioned that SLE is treatable through addressing its systems mainly with cyclophosphamides, corticosteroids, and immunosuppressant.
Mentioning that SLE patients were firstly treated by him in the country in 1992, Dr Atique, also the WHO fellow in Rheumatology, observed that although there's no proper research or survey, there might be around one lakh people suffering from the disease in the Bangladesh.
Survival for people with SLE in the United States, Canada and Europe is approximately 95 percent at five years, 90 percent at 10 years and 78 percent at 20 years, according to the physicians.
They said the warning signs of an impending flare of the disease include increased fatigue, pain, rash, fever, abdominal discomfort, headache and dizziness.
Early recognition of warning signs and good communication with a doctor can help individuals remain active, experience less pain and reduce medical visits.
Dr Matiur Rahman, Prof of Medicine and Rheumatology in Mitford Medical College, noted zoologist Rajib Uddin Ahmed, Dr Nazim and Dr Delwar were present at the meeting.