Patient/caregiver were instructed on the pathophysiology of lupus as follows:

1. Usually the immune system attacks the various bacteria, viruses, and other invading foreign micro-organisms that enter one’s body and help prevent serious illness.
2. In individuals with history of autoimmune conditions, the immune system mistakenly & repeatedly attacks and damages one’s own body tissues and organs. Lupus is an autoimmune condition, where one’s immune system attacks their own body tissues and organs.
3. This attack by the immune system can involve many different organs, such as, skin, kidneys, heart, lungs, and brain.
4. Attack by the immune system can cause injury & inflammation in the affected tissues & organs, and lead to their compromised function.
5. Many factors, such as, exposure to environmental allergens, intake of certain medications, exposure to certain infectious diseases, etc., can act as triggers for lupus activation.
6. Exposure to various triggers and activation of an inflammatory response can occur in bouts, contributing to periodical flaring-up of lupus episodes.
7. Lupus can vary widely among individuals with respect to the triggering factors activating the symptoms, organs involved, extent of organ involvement, and management measures.