Skip to content 
What is the link between arthritis and lupus? Many people with lupus have joint pain often. Arthritis is a common sign for most people with lupus.
- Around 51% of lupus patients have arthritis. This includes rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.
If you have joint pain from lupus, daily life can be tougher. Research shows people with joint problems feel more pain. They also have a lower quality of life than those without joint pain.
Key Takeaways
- More than 90% of people with lupus have joint pain. This means arthritis is a common sign of lupus.
- Lupus is an autoimmune disease. It causes swelling and pain in the joints. This swelling is called synovitis. Finding lupus arthritis early and treating it can stop joint damage. It can also help people feel better.
- Treating lupus arthritis uses medicine, light exercise, stress control, and healthy habits. Support groups and online groups give helpful information. They also give emotional help to people with lupus arthritis.
Arthritis and Lupus
Lupus is an autoimmune disease. The immune system attacks healthy tissues by mistake. This causes inflammation in many body parts. Symptoms can come and go. Sometimes they are mild, sometimes severe. Lupus can affect your skin, blood, joints, kidneys, brain, heart, and lungs.
Common signs of lupus include:
- Joint pain, muscle pain, or chest pain
- Headaches
- Rashes, including a butterfly rash on your face
- Fever
- Hair loss
- Mouth sores
- Fatigue
- Swollen glands
- Swelling in your arms, legs, or face
- Confusion
- Blood clots
You may feel tired a lot. Swelling can happen in your legs or around your eyes. Sunlight can bother your skin. You might get mouth sores that do not hurt.
Joint Symptoms in Lupus
Joint pain and swelling are very common in lupus. More than 90% of people with lupus have joint problems. Most people get arthritis and lupus symptoms early or later.
You may feel pain in your joints, called arthralgia. Arthritis means your joints are swollen and sore because of inflammation.
| Term | Description |
|---|---|
| Arthralgia | Pain in a joint. |
| Arthritis | Swelling and tenderness in a joint due to inflammation, which may include redness and warmth. |
| Symptoms | Range from pain only (arthralgia) to arthritis with stiffness, tenderness, swelling, and redness. |
| Common Joints | Most commonly affected joints are in your hands, wrists, and knees. |
| Symmetry | Joint involvement is usually symmetric; if one knee is affected, the other is too. |
| Migratory | Symptoms may affect different joints at different times. |
Your joint pain can move from one place to another. Both sides of your body may hurt at once. Swelling, redness, and stiffness can make moving hard.
Why Arthritis Is Common
Arthritis and lupus often happen together because lupus causes joint inflammation. This inflammation is called synovitis. Synovitis means the lining of your joints gets swollen.
You may not see swelling, but it can hurt and make joints stiff. Doctors use ultrasound to find hidden joint inflammation. Up to 90% of people with lupus have synovitis, even if they do not feel it all the time.
Lupus inflammation happens when your immune system attacks your own tissues. Special proteins called interferons help cause joint inflammation. If you have synovitis, you may feel more pain and some treatments may not work as well.
Autoimmune problems also explain why arthritis and lupus are linked. Your body makes antibodies that attack healthy cells. The complement system helps fight germs but can also hurt tissues in lupus. Sometimes, your body cannot clear away dead cells, which causes more inflammation.
Neutrophils, a kind of white blood cell, release traps that damage blood vessels and keep inflammation going.
Genes can raise your risk for both arthritis and lupus. Genes like STAT4, IRF5, and TYK2 are linked to both diseases. These genes change how your immune system works and how your body handles inflammation.
Quick Facts:
- Arthritis is seen in up to 95% of lupus patients.
- Musculoskeletal complaints affect most people with lupus.
- Synovitis is a major cause of joint pain and swelling in lupus.
If you have arthritis and lupus, you are not alone. Many people have joint pain, swelling, and stiffness. Knowing why these symptoms happen can help you talk to your doctor and take care of your health.
Arthritis and Lupus: Differences
Lupus vs. Rheumatoid Arthritis
You might wonder how lupus arthritis is different from rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Both can cause joint pain, but they are not the same. The table below shows how their symptoms and problems are different:
| Symptom Aspect | Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) | Lupus |
|---|---|---|
| Joint Involvement | Mainly affects joints on both sides | Can affect any body part, even organs and skin |
| Severity of Joint Symptoms | Pain, swelling, and stiffness are often very bad | Symptoms are usually less severe |
| Time of Day Pain is Worst | Pain is worse in the morning, gets better later | Pain stays about the same all day |
| Additional Symptoms | Can cause dry eyes, dry mouth, and lumps | Can cause a butterfly rash, headaches, and kidney problems |
| Complications | Can cause lung and heart swelling | Can cause serious problems like kidney failure and seizures |
Lupus can hurt many parts of your body, not just your joints. RA mostly hurts your joints and often causes more pain and swelling. With lupus, joint pain may not change much during the day. RA pain is usually worse in the morning.
Doctors use lab tests to tell them apart. Lupus arthritis often has higher cytokines like IL-12, SCF, and TNF-a. These are different from what doctors see in RA. Doctors use these clues to help find out what you have.
Subtypes of Lupus Arthritis
Lupus arthritis does not look the same for everyone. Doctors have found different subtypes. Each one has its own signs and risks. The table below shows the main subtypes:
| Subtype | Prevalence (%) | Clinical Features | Serological Markers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nondeforming Nonerosive (NDNE) | 72.6 | Similar organ problems, lower SLEDAI-2K scores | Lower anti-Ro antibodies |
| Jaccoud’s Arthropathy (JA) | 19.2 | More females, higher SLEDAI-2K scores, nerve problems | Higher interferon signature |
| Rhupus | 8.1 | Similar organ problems, highest SDI (not counting joints) | More anti-Ro antibodies |
You might have NDNE, which is most common and does not damage joints. Jaccoud’s arthropathy can bend joints, but bones do not break down. Rhupus is rare and is a mix of lupus and RA. It can cause worse joint problems.
Lupus can also cause other types of arthritis. Some people get erosive arthritis, which can harm joints over time. Others have lupus/RA overlap, which is rare but important to know. The table below explains these less common types:
| Type of Arthritis | Description |
|---|---|
| Jaccoud’s arthropathy | A type of lupus arthritis with loose ligaments and bent joints, but no bone damage. |
| Erosive arthritis | Some lupus patients have joint damage on X-rays, mostly in the hands. |
| Lupus/RA overlap | Rare (0.01–2%), linked to anti-CCP antibodies, has signs of both lupus and RA. |
If lupus arthritis is not treated, it can hurt your joints, especially in erosive or overlap types. Finding and treating it early helps protect your joints.
Diagnosis and Treatment
Doctors use different things to find out if you have lupus arthritis. They look at when your symptoms started, which joints hurt, and lab test results. Here are some important points:
- When it starts: Lupus arthritis can start fast or slow.
- Which joints: Lupus often hurts joints on both sides of your body. It can hurt a few or many joints.
- Joint size: Lupus usually hurts small joints, like in your hands and wrists.
- Other symptoms: Lupus often comes with rashes, kidney, or lung problems.
- Lab tests: Doctors check for antinuclear antibodies (ANA) and other autoantibodies to confirm lupus.
Doctors may also look for joint changes. In Jaccoud-type lupus, joints can bend but are not stuck. In RA, joint changes are fixed.
Some genes (HLA haplotypes) can help doctors know what you have. If you have signs of both lupus and RA, your doctor may call it rhupus.
Treatments for lupus arthritis have gotten better. You have many choices, depending on your symptoms and how you react.
The table below lists some of the best treatments:
| Treatment Name | Approval Year | Mechanism of Action |
|---|---|---|
| Benlysta (belimumab) | 2011 | Blocks B cells that cause tissue damage in lupus patients. |
| Voclosporin (lupkynis) | 2021 | Lowers immune system activity, especially for lupus nephritis. |
| Saphnelo (anifrolumab) | 2021 | Reduces type I interferon signals, lowering inflammation. |
| Obinutuzumab | N/A | Removes B cells, helpful if other treatments do not work. |
| Daratumumab | N/A | Targets long-lasting white blood cells that drive lupus immune activity. |
Your doctor will pick the best treatment for you. They look at your symptoms, test results, and health. Getting the right treatment early can stop joint damage and help you feel better.
Daily Life with Lupus Arthritis
Everyday Challenges
Living with lupus arthritis brings many problems each day. Your symptoms can change quickly and without warning. Sometimes, you feel fine, but then a flare can mess up your plans.
Fatigue makes even easy things feel very hard. You might feel sad or worried, which can make school or work harder. These feelings can also affect your friendships and family.
- Flares can happen anytime and mess up your day.
- Fatigue makes it hard to do normal things.
- Feeling sad or stressed can hurt your friendships and schoolwork.
Lupus arthritis can make working, playing sports, or caring for yourself tough. Joint pain and stiffness can stop you from moving easily. Some days, you may need help with chores or getting dressed. Doing special exercise programs can help you move better and feel happier.
Managing Flare-Ups
You can handle lupus arthritis flares by following your doctor’s advice. Taking your medicine every day is important. You might use NSAIDs, corticosteroids, antimalarials, or immunosuppressants.
Wearing sunscreen helps keep flares away. Stress relief, like deep breathing or meditation, helps you feel better. Getting enough sleep, about 7–9 hours, helps your body heal.
Eating healthy foods and drinking water can lower your symptoms. Gentle exercise, like walking or swimming, helps you stay strong. Not smoking and drinking less alcohol are good for you. Talking to friends, family, or support groups can help you feel better.
- Take your medicine as your doctor says.
- Protect your skin from the sun.
- Try to relax and manage stress.
- Get enough sleep every night.
- Eat healthy foods and drink water.
- Do gentle exercise.
- Do not smoke and drink less alcohol.
- Talk to people who care about you.
Changing your habits can make flares happen less often. Eating healthy, moving your body, and sleeping well all help you feel better.
Support and Resources
You can find lots of help and support. Patient groups and online communities teach you new things and let you meet others. Support groups let you talk about your feelings and feel less alone. Counseling and talking to others can help you deal with lupus and talk to your doctor.
| Organization | Link |
|---|---|
| Lupus and Allied Diseases Association, Inc. (LADA) | Visit |
| Lupus Foundation of America (LFA) | Visit |
| Lupus Research Alliance (LRA) | Visit |
| National Kidney Foundation | Visit |
| Rheuminations, Inc. | Visit |
| American Academy of Dermatology | Visit |
| American College of Rheumatology | Visit |
| Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) | Visit |
| CDC Chronic Kidney Disease Initiative | Visit |
| Department of Health and Human Services Online Resource | Visit |
| National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases | Visit |
| National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases | Visit |
Support groups and online sites, like LupusConnect™, give you a safe place to talk. Many people, like Alex, say these groups help them feel less lonely and more sure about handling lupus. You can find hope and helpful tips by talking to others who know what you are going through.
You now know that lupus is not a type of arthritis, but arthritis is a common symptom. Joint pain and swelling often signal lupus early. You should talk to your doctor if you notice these signs. Early treatment can prevent joint damage and improve your life.
Tips for managing lupus arthritis:
- Get regular checkups
- Use pain-relief techniques
- Ask for help when needed
- Try gentle exercise
- Manage stress and get enough rest
- New treatments and research give hope for better care and long-term health.
FAQ
What is the difference between lupus arthritis and regular arthritis?
Lupus arthritis comes from your immune system attacking your joints. Regular arthritis, like osteoarthritis, happens from wear and tear. Lupus arthritis often affects both sides of your body and can come with other symptoms.
What joints does lupus arthritis usually affect?
You often feel lupus arthritis in your hands, wrists, and knees. Both sides of your body may hurt at the same time. The pain can move from one joint to another.
What can you do if lupus arthritis flares up?
You can take your medicine as your doctor tells you. Rest helps your joints. Gentle exercise, like walking, can keep you moving. Talk to your doctor if pain gets worse.
What tests help diagnose lupus arthritis?
Doctors use blood tests to look for autoantibodies. They may use ultrasound or X-rays to check for joint swelling or damage. Your doctor will also ask about your symptoms.
What support can help you live with lupus arthritis?
Support groups, counseling, and online communities can help you feel less alone. You can learn tips from others. Talking to friends and family gives you extra support.
