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Will I get SLE if I have a family history of the same?

Answered by: Dr Anand Malaviya | Head of the Department of Medicine and Chief of Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology Services,
All-India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi Consultant Rheumatologist, 'A&R Clinic'
Visiting Sr. Consultant, Rheumatologist, ISIC Superspeciality Hospital, New Delhi.

Q: I am a 32 years old woman having a family history of SLE (lupus). My two elder sisters are suffering from SLE. Will I also get the same problem? I don't have any symptoms like rashes, hair fall or fever but I am overweight (95 kg) and due to that I have pain in my toe and sometimes in the ankle also. Please advise.

A:I have two things to tell you.

Even if you have your close relatives suffering from SLE it is not necessary that you will also get it. Of course the chances of getting it is somewhat higher in you than in general population. But, it is not anywhere near 100%. Therefore, I would strongly advise you not to worry about this issue.
Even those persons who have SLE are now-a-days leading almost a normal life with such effective medicines that are now available with little adverse-effect.