Comparison of Clinical and Serological Differences Among Juvenile, Adult, and Late-onset Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Overview

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a heterogeneous autoimmune disease with a highly variable presentation and course. It can affect virtually every organ of the body and many symptoms may be observed. Skin, musculoskeletal, hematologic, and serological involvement are most commonly observed. Some patients show predominately hematologic, renal, or central nervous system manifestations. Studies have reported that juvenile-onset SLE patients tend to have a more aggressive presentation and course, with higher rates of organ involvement and lower life expectancy than adult-onset SLE patients. Late-onset SLE patients tend to have a more insidious onset of disease and tend to have less major organ involvement and more benign disease course. However, they have a poorer prognosis than patients who developed SLE before the age of 50 years, because of the generally higher frequency of comorbid diseases and higher organ damage, due to aging and longer exposure to ''classical'' vascular risk factors. Aims of the Study: To compare clinical and serological differences among juvenile, adult, and late-onset systemic lupus erythematosus in a cohort of SLE patients in our hospital.

Methods: All patients will be subjected to the following: 1. Thorough medical history of the patients 2. Full clinical examination including: 1. General examination and vital signs. 2. Complete rheumatological examination. 3. SLE disease activity index SLEDAI (ref). 4. SLICC damage index (ref). 3. Routine investigations (complete blood picture, erythrocyte sedimentation rate and liver functions). 4. Renal investigations: 1. Kidney functions 2. Urine analysis 3. 24 hours protein in urine and/or A/C ratio 4. Renal biopsy if indicated. 5. ANA test. 6. ANA profile for the most common 19 autoantibodies by immunoblot.

Conditions