Lupus is not very common , but it is a serious autoimmune disease that affects more women than men. In the United States, the most common form, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), is estimated to affect about 204,000 people, and CDC materials describe it as roughly 1 in 2,000 people in the U.S.

How common it is

  • About 204,000 people in the U.S. are estimated to have SLE.
  • Roughly 9 out of 10 people with lupus are women.
  • Women aged 15 to 44 have the highest risk.
  • Lupus is more common in Black, Latina, Asian, American Indian, and Alaska Native populations than in White populations.

Outside the U.S.

Globally, some sources estimate that around 5 million people live with lupus worldwide. That said, exact numbers vary because lupus can be hard to diagnose and different countries track it differently.

Quick takeaway

So, lupus is relatively rare overall, but it is far from uncommon in certain groups, especially women of childbearing age and some racial and ethnic minorities.