Descriptive study of SLE patients followed up in the University of Colombo Lupus Research Clinic

Abstract

The university lupus research clinic follows up patients admitted or referred to the University Medical Unit with diagnosed or suspected SLE.Objectives: To find the number of patients in the lupus clinic with confirmed SLE, those with related diseases, visceral involvement, treatment, and out come. Methods: Data was collected on registering patients. They were followed up prospectively. This clinic has been functioning for 3 years and a preliminary analysis is presented. Results: There were 90 patients. 78 (87%) had a clinical diagnosis of SLE. Others had related auto-immune diseases (e.g. rheumatoid arthritis, MCTD, auto-immune hepatitis, ITP etc). There were 6 patients(7%) with antiphospholipid antibody syndrome (APS). Only 61 patients (78%) satisfied the American Rheumatological Association (ARA) criteria for diagnosis of SLE. 4 (7%) patients with SLE had overlap syndrome, and 2 had SLE with APS. The mean age of SLE patients was 32 years (range 16-58). There were 57 females (93%) and 4 males (7%). Mean duration of disease was 7 years (range