Clinical profile of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

INTRODUCTION Clinical features of systemic lupus erythematosus vary between different parts of the World; however, this information on Nepalese systemic lupus erythematosus does not exist. METHODS Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus fulfilling the American College of Rheumatology criteria treated in Patan Hospital were studied by means of retrospective review of their case records. The results were compared with various regional and international studies. RESULTS The female to male ratio was 36:1 with a mean age at diagnosis 28.67 years. Cutaneous manifestations were the most common 72 (96%) presentations followed by musculoskeletal involvement 70 (93%). Haematological and renal involvements each were present in 33 (44%) of patients. Pulmonary and neuropsychiatric involvements were present in 15 (20%) and 8 (11%) patients respectively. Antinuclear antibody and anti-double stranded deoxyribonucleic acid antibodies were positive in 70 (93%) and 66 (88%) of patients respectively. A quarter of patients had some form of co-morbid conditions. At the time of last follow up, 70 (93%), 66 (90%), and 6 (9%) of patients were taking antimalarials, steroids and immunosuppressive agents respectively, mostly in combinations. Eighty seven percent of patients had their disease activity under control at the time of last follow up whereas four percent still had an active disease. In another four percent died during the course of therapy and the outcome was unknown in another four percent of patients who lost to follow up. CONCLUSIONS Clinical characteristics and antinuclear antibody pattern of Nepalese lupus patients is more or less similar to those with patients from other countries in the region and in the World.