Was Lupus the Reason for Michael Jackson's Glove?

July 9, 2009— -- As speculation about Michael Jackson's health problems swirls after his June 25 death, it appears that many of his signature habits seem to confirm that he struggled with lupus, a chronic autoimmune disorder.

On Wednesday, Dr. Arnie Klein, Jackson's physician, told "Good Morning America" that he had diagnosed Jackson, 50, with lupus, a disease in which the body comes under attack from its own immune system. The result is inflammation, pain and damage to certain tissues of the body.

Hints of how Jackson dealt with such a condition can be found in his personal style choices, from the surgical mask he occasionally donned to his signature white glove.

According to the Lupus Foundation of America, at least at least 1.5 million Americans have lupus, and about 5 million people throughout the world have some form of the disease.

Dr. Robert Lahita, a professor of medicine at Mount Sinai Medical School who has has written numerous books on lupus and other autoimmune conditions, told "Good Morning America" that what we know about Jackson's other medical conditions may also point to lupus.

"He had a form of skin lupus, called discoid lupus, which affects about 40 percent of the patients with lupus," Lahita said, adding that this condition can lead to depigmentation of the skin, among other things.

"Michael Jackson acknowledged having vitiligo, having splotches of the skin," Lahita said.

This condition may explain why Jackson was often seen carrying an umbrella, as these patients are normally advised to avoid sun exposure.

But for many of Jackson's fans, the implication that the singer's famous single white glove may have been camouflage for his condition may be most intriguing. It was a possibility that Lahita called "very interesting."