Daniel J. Wallace. The Lupus Book: A Guide for Patients and Their Families. 5th ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2013. $29.95. pp. 304. Hardback. ISBN‐13 978‐0‐19‐992940‐5.

• Author: Angela Matysiak
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.1002/wmh3.162
• Published date: 01 December 2015
• Date: 01 December 2015

Book Review

Daniel J. Wallace. The Lupus Book: A Guide for Patients and Their Families. 5th ed.

Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2013. $29.95. pp. 304. Hardback. ISBN-13 978-0-

19-992940-5.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) affects an estimated 1.5 million people in

the United States. More widespread than leukemia, multiple sclerosis, cystic

f‌ibrosis, and muscular dystrophy combined, lupus is nine times more common in

young women than in men and it affects more Blacks, Hispanics, Asians, and

Native Americans than Whites. Approved by the Lupus Foundation of America,

the book under review addresses important issues faced by patients and their

families, such as the signif‌icance of early diagnosis, and the urgent need for

prompt and individualized treatment. This book is all the more needed because

despite good diagnostic tools and new treatment options, public awareness of

lupus remains limited and thousands of patients currently do not receive

treatment.

Drawing from decades of clinical experience with over 2000 lupus patients,

the author, a clinical professor of medicine at the University of California, Los

Angeles, wants to empower patients and family members to chart a course based

on their specif‌ic condition and identify issues (butterf‌ly rashes) or questions (Can

a woman with lupus get pregnant?) that are most important to them. The author

conceptualized his book primarily as an easily usable guidebook for quick

reference and for a general audience. But Wallace also seeks to go beyond cursory

explanations and management recommendations, which may appeal to a more

scientif‌ically minded readership. Throughout the book, the author uses technical

language to explain the various complex scientif‌ic and medical concepts and

mechanisms behind the disease. However, since Wallace attempts to make

technical language palatable to the lay reader, many patients and family members

may f‌ind themselves encouraged to dive deeper into the more complex technical

issues of lupus. The book is divided into f‌ive parts, dealing with the origin and

development of lupus, its causes, diagnosis, and treatment.

Without a doubt, this book greatly advances our knowledge of the disease. At

various points, the author does an excellent job of providing understandable

World Medical & Health Policy, Vol. 7, No. 4, 2015

412

1948-4682 #2015 Policy Studies Organization

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