Lupus Associations Worldwide have teamed up to claim the relevance of World Lupus Day next May 10. More than 5 million people worldwide have lupus, a chronic autoimmune disease that mainly affects young women of childbearing age. More than 20,000 families in Spain are affected by this disease.

World Lupus Day focuses on the need to increase social awareness, improve health services for these patients, promote research into the causes and cure of Lupus, improve medical diagnosis and treatment and epidemiological studies of the overall impact of this disease.

Lupus affects not only the patient but transcends to his family, friends and coworkers. It is valued even as a global health problem by society, health professionals, or by governments, which determines the need to increase social awareness.

Lupus can be difficult to diagnose because many of its symptoms are confused with more common diseases, but early diagnosis and appropriate treatment can help reduce the disabling effects of the disease. Increase awareness Lupus will save many lives.

The first World Lupus Day was held in 2004 and there were numerous events around the world, which highlighted their importance. From then annually Lupus associations organize activities throughout the planet to commemorate this day, in Spain is celebrated by a National Congress Lupus.