[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 39 (Wednesday, April 13, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: April 13, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                H.R. 2420, LUPUS LEGISLATION COSPONSORS

                                 ______


                          HON. CARRIE P. MEEK

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 13, 1994

  Mrs. MEEK of Florida. Mr. Speaker, once again I am asking my 
colleagues to join me in the fight against lupus by cosponsoring H.R. 
2420, a bill to expand and intensify the research of this widespread 
but enigmatic disease.
  Doctors estimate that there are about 500,000 Americans known to be 
suffering from lupus. It is estimated that another 500,000 have not 
been diagnosed. Known cases of lupus outnumber those of leukemia, 
muscular dystrophy, or multiple sclerosis.
  While lupus affects both men and women, 9 out of 10 people struck 
with lupus are women. Although people of all ages contract lupus, the 
disease has its most significant impact on young women during the 
childbearing ages of 15 to 45. People of all ethnic backgrounds are 
stricken with lupus, but it attacks African-American, Hispanic, and 
some Asian and Native American women three times more frequently than 
white women. Within those ethnic groups hardest hit, rarely is there a 
person who has not been directly or indirectly affected by a friend, 
relative, or loved one who is suffering from lupus. One in every 250 
African-American women can expect to be stricken.
  Lupus is characterized by an immune system that has gone out of 
balance; the body produces autoantibodies, anitbodies that attack the 
patient's own tissues. Symptoms may include aching joints, fever, 
arthritis--swollen joints--skin rashes, anemia, kidney disorder, pain 
in the chest from deep breathing, sun or light sensitivity, hair loss, 
fingers turning blue or white in the cold, seizures, and mouth or nose 
ulcers.
  In its systemic form, lupus attacks many parts of the body, including 
skin, joints, kidneys, lungs, heart, nervous system, and blood vessels. 
In severe cases, it attacks the brain, causing concentration problems, 
strokes, seizures, mood swings, depression, and irritability. Strokes 
are the third leading cause of death among women and lupus is one of 
the principle causes of strokes among women under 45 years of age.
  The disease of lupus plays a cruel game of hide and seek. The ailment 
may go into remission for weeks, months, or even years, but a 
reappearance of the same or completely different symptoms, called 
flares, can occur without warning and can last an unpredictable amount 
of time. The simple convenience of planning one's life from day to day 
becomes impossible under the constant threat of a lupus attack.
  With appropriate medication, lupus can be controlled. Today, lupus 
patients are living longer lives and functioning with some degree of 
normality. But there is no single drug to be prescribed for the disease 
and a lupus patient's death may often be connected with years of drug 
therapy. For example, the steroids that are prescribed to battle the 
inflammation common to lupus can promote high blood pressure, which can 
contribute to heart disease and stroke.
  If medication is to control lupus, the disease must be diagnosed 
early. Unfortunately, lupus is extremely difficult to diagnose because 
it mimics the symptoms of other ailments. On average, it takes between 
3 to 8 years to identify. Without early detection and treatment, the 
disease can be fatal.
  Perhaps the most discouraging aspect of lupus for the sufferer is the 
fact that there is no cure. Although lupus has been known to doctors 
for 150 years, we have not yet isolated the cause.
  Encouraging progress in lupus research has been accomplished by the 
National Institutes of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases 
[NIAMS]. It is to the Institute that the 1-million people currently 
afflicted must now look for progress in the detection, treatment, and 
possible cure of lupus.
  And, Congress is where they and their children must now look for 
hope. Yes, their children. At present, the best indicator of 
vulnerability to lupus is the family medical history.
  NIAMS leads and coordinates the biomedical research effort in lupus 
and it has recently sought to give the disease a higher priority on its 
agenda. NIAMS is expanding the knowledge of the basic causes of lupus, 
as well as developing innovative treatments that are less toxic than 
current treatments.
  H.R. 2420 will enable the Institute to fund the research necessary to 
ultimately isolate the cause and develop the treatment and, we hope, 
the cure for lupus. In addition and of equally critical importance, 
H.R. 2420 will authorize the funding necessary for NIAMS to expand its 
public education efforts. With an adequate public education program, we 
can make rapid progress in promoting early diagnoses and treatment of 
lupus.
  It is my sincere hope that my colleagues will join me in the battle 
against lupus and will cosponsor H.R. 2420. With this first step, we 
can put the formidable medical research resources of this country to 
the task of finding some relief for the 1 million Americans who are now 
suffering the hardships wrought by this affliction.

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