Article Text
Abstract
Background Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is more frequent in women but seems to be more severe in men.
Objectives The aim was to study gender influence on clinical, biological and immunological features of SLE
Methods It's a retrospective study conducted in an internal medicine department. Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (ACR revised criteria) were included. Data were recorded and compared using SPSS. Variables with a p≤0.05 were considered to be statistically significant.
Results A total of 246 SLE patients were included; 224 female and 19 male (sex ratio F/M was 11.78). Mean ages at disease onset and at SLE diagnosis were comparable for men and women respectively 35.63±14.31 vs 32.7±13.36 years and 35.8±14.3 vs 34.5±13.6 years.
SLE diagnosis was made earlier in men with an average delay (from first sign of the disease to diagnosis) of 6.1 months vs 21.4 months (p=0.02). Clinically, photosensitivity was significantly more frequent in women (81.4% vs 58.8%; p=0.03). Women complained from alopecia more frequently than men but the difference was not statistically significant (35.1% vs 14.3%; p=0.09). Arthritis were two times more frequent in women (50.7% vs 25%; p=0.04). Lupus nephritis us well us lupus pancreatitis were significantly more frequent in men, respectively 66.7% vs 41.6% (p=0.039) and 11.1% vs 1.4% (p=0.047). There were no differences according to gender in neurological involvement and seritis. No significant differences were observed between men and women concerning hematological disorders. Anti-DNA, anti-Sm, anti-RNP, anti-SSA, anti-SSB, anti-cardiolipin and anti-B2GP1 antibodies frequencies were similar in both genders.
Conclusions SLE diagnosis was made earlier in men than women, this could be explained by more severe disease in men [1]. However this hypothesis has been highly controversial [2]. Cutaneous and joints manifestations seem to be more frequent in women whereas serious manifestations like lupus nephritis and neurological involvements were more frequent in men [3–4]. In our study, only lupus nephritis and pancreatitis were more frequent in men.
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References
Disclosure of Interest None declared