Systemic Lupus Erythematosus in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

THIS RETROSPECTIVE study is aimed at evalu ation of demographic and clinical aspects of sys temic lupus erythematosus (S.L.E.) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Sixty-three confirmed and hospitalised S.L.E. patients were investigated in the major hospitals of Riyadh City during the period 1977-1985. Females comprised 82.54% of cases. The average age for the total group was 25.95 ± 10.27 years. Only one case had a family history of S.L.E. The pattern of signs and symptoms included the following in order of magnitude: fever (92%). arthralgia (87.3%), anaemia (76.2%), renal lesions (66.7%), butter fly rash (66.7%), miscellaneous affections ranged from 31.7% to 12.7%. The anti-nuclear factor was suggestive of S.L.E. in 95.2% of cases. DNA antibodies were indicative of S.L.E. in 66.7% of cases. L.E. cells were encountered in 65%. In 65% of cases, no predisposing factor could be elicited. There was difficulty in diagnosis as shown by periods elapsing till confirmed diagnosis was made. Only 20.6% were diagnosed within the first three months and 49.2% were diagnosed within the first year. This signifies that almost 51 % of cases escape diagnosis during the first year and may lose the chance to have early treatment. The improvement rate was 11.7%. The case fatality rate was 15.3%. The exacubation rate was 32.2% Complications were encountered in 22% of cases.