Characteristics of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus with a significant rise of antibodies to dsDNA either treated with MMF or untreated
| MMF treated (n=10) | Untreated (n=24) (historical controls)3 | |
|---|---|---|
| LE cell phenomenon and/or false positive syphilis test are not included in the table because neither was routinely analysed in our centre. | ||
| Age (years), mean (range) | 39.2 (22–63) | 35.4 (19–77) |
| Male/female | 1/9 | 3/21 |
| Disease duration (years), mean (range) | 7.9 (1–40) | 8.9 (1.8–19.9) |
| Anti-dsDNA (IU/ml), median (range) | 120 (49–324) | 75 (25–421) |
| Cumulative ACR criteria (%) | ||
| Malar rash | 30 | 50 |
| Discoid rash | 40 | 21 |
| Photosensitivity | 60 | 50 |
| Oral ulcers | 0 | 29 |
| Arthritis | 70 | 88 |
| Pleuritis | 30 | 38 |
| Pericarditis | 40 | 42 |
| Proteinuria | 20 | 54 |
| Cell casts | 10 | 25 |
| Convulsions | 0 | 4 |
| Psychosis | 10 | 4 |
| Haemolytic anaemia | 20 | 13 |
| Leucocytopenia | 40 | 63 |
| Lymphocytopenia | 70 | 50 |
| Thrombocytopenia | 10 | 17 |
| Anti-dsDNA antibodies | 100 | 100 |
| Anti-Smith antibodies | 20 | 29 |
| Antinuclear antibodies | 100 | 100 |