A Cause of Photosensitivity in Lupus Found

Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine have discovered a genetic factor that contributes to photosensitivity in people with lupus. The researchers identified a variant of a human gene that became more active when exposed to sunlight. They also discovered that a large percentage of people with subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus (SCLE, a highly photosensitive form of lupus) had one or even two copies of the variant gene. It is hoped that this discovery will lead to major advances in treating people with lupus, including new drugs to inhibit this gene.

Sensitivity to visible light
The researcher Richard A.Young, Ph.D. notes that: Between lupus and porphyria, their sensitivities span the spectrum between UV, UVblue and blue, with lupus toward the UV and porphyria toward the blue; nevertheless some lupus patients are directly affected by visible blue. These patients may be adversely affected by the lights used by dentists, despite assurances that there should be no problem as UV is blocked in this light.

A further complication in identifying the extent of the problem is that there may be a severe but delayed reaction, possibly only occurring some days after the light exposure.

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