Sulpha allergy in lupus patients: a clinical perspective

Lupus. 2008 Mar;17(3):202-5. doi: 10.1177/0961203307086640.

Abstract

Systemic lupus erythematosus is a chronic, relapsing autoimmune disease that can affect multiple organ systems. An increased prevalence of drug allergy has been reported in lupus patients compared with the general population. Using a cohort of 417 lupus patients, we found a history of sulpha allergy in 27.3% of patients. European-American lupus patients with sulpha allergy are about two times more likely to suffer from lymphopenia, two times more likely to have anti-Ro autoantibody, and four times less likely to have anti-nRNP antibodies compared with lupus patients without a reported sulpha allergy (P = 0.0075, 0.025, and 0.032, respectively). In African-American lupus patients, a history of sulpha allergy was associated with over three times increased odds of developing pericarditis (P = 0.005).

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antibodies, Antinuclear / blood
  • Autoantibodies / blood
  • Drug Hypersensitivity / epidemiology*
  • Drug Hypersensitivity / ethnology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / immunology*
  • Male
  • Ribonucleoproteins / immunology
  • Sulfonamides / adverse effects*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Antinuclear
  • Autoantibodies
  • Ribonucleoproteins
  • SS-A antibodies
  • Sulfonamides