How common is systemic lupus erythematosus in the population?

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects various organs and systems in the body. Regarding its prevalence in the population, the annual incidence of the disease is estimated to be at least three to six cases per 100,000 people.12

The disease can develop at any stage of life, though it appears most frequently between the second and fourth decades. It is significantly more common in women than in men, and it is observed to be three times more prevalent in black women than in white women. While the exact cause remains unknown, the condition involves a complex autoimmune reaction where the body produces autoantibodies that target its own tissues.23