rss
Ann Rheum Dis 2000;59:230-232 doi:10.1136/ard.59.3.230
  • Concise report

Development of additional autoimmune diseases in a population of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

  1. J E McDonagh,
  2. D A Isenberg
  1. Bloomsbury Rheumatology Unit, Centre for Rheumatology/ Department of Medicine, University College London Hospitals, London
  1. Professor Isenberg, The University College London Hospitals, Department of Rheumatology, 40–50 Tottenham Street, London W1P 9PG
  • Accepted 26 November 1999

Abstract

OBJECTIVE In view of the recognised clustering of autoimmune diseases (AID), the chronology of development of other autoimmune diseases in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients was considered.

METHODS A retrospective review of a well documented population of 215 patients with SLE was undertaken. The duration of follow up ranged from 2 to 18 years.

RESULTS Of these 215 patients, 65 (30%) had at least one other AID—including 51 (24%) having one other AID, 12 (6%) having two and two (1%) having three other AID in addition to their SLE. Twelve different autoimmune diseases were identified. The majority of patients developed a further AID after SLE had been diagnosed (62%) reflecting the relatively early age of onset of SLE. There was no significant difference in the age of onset of rheumatoid arthritis, Sjögren's syndrome and hypothyroidism that had developed before SLE compared with those who developed these diseases after SLE. However, those who developed autoimmune thrombocytopenia (AITP) before SLE were significantly younger than those who developed AITP after SLE (16.7 v38.7 years respectively, p<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS Physicians caring for SLE patients should remain alert to the possible development of a second AID during follow up. Further well matched case-control studies are required to define the exact relation between SLE and other AID.

Footnotes

    This Article

    1. Abstract
    2. Full text
    3. PDF

    Responses

    1. Submit a response
    2. No responses published

    Register for free content

    The full back archive is now available for all BMJ Journals. Institutional subscribers may access the entire archive as part of their subscription. Personal subscribers will also have access to all content when logged in. Non-subscribers who register have free access to all articles published before 2006 right back to volume 1 issue 1. Register here to access the free archive of all BMJ Journals.

    Don't forget to sign up for content alerts so you keep up to date with all the articles as they are published.