This Article Full Text (PDF) References Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in Web of Science Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Web of Science (4) Citing Articles via Google Scholar Citing Articles via Scopus Google Scholar Articles by Heller, T. Articles by Bahlas, S. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Heller, T. Articles by Bahlas, S. Social Bookmarking                         What's this?

Systemic lupus erythematosus in Saudi Arabia: morbidity and mortality in a multiethnic population

Department of Internal Medicine, King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, heller{at}attiehmedico.com

M. Ahmed

Department of Internal Medicine, King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

A. Siddiqqi

Department of Internal Medicine, King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

C. Wallrauch

Department of Internal Medicine, King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

S. Bahlas

Department of Internal Medicine, King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

The objective of this study is to summarize the features of patients with Lupus erythematosus in Saudi Arabia. Racial differences of patients and predictors of mortality are assessed. Ninety-three patients treated for SLE at the University Hospital in Jeddah were reviewed. Frequencies of clinical manifestations, causes of admission and causes of death were analysed. Variables predicting mortality were assessed by logistic regression and survival probabilities were estimated by the Kaplan—Meier method. The most frequent presenting symptoms were arthritis (68%) and fever (58%). Renal involvement was seen in 61% of patients. The majority of patients (61%) showed ANA titers higher than 1:1280. C4 levels were significantly lower in patients who died during the observation period than in survivors. The overall five-year survival rate was 92%. Variables predicting early death (<2 years after diagnosis) were young age at diagnosis, male sex and skin involvement. Death after more than two years correlated with older age at diagnosis and renal involvement. Patients of African descent had higher rates of neurological involvement and renal failure. The mortality in this group was highest, though this was not statistically significant. The overall survival in our cohort compares with mortality rates reported from western countries. However, renal disease tends to be common and has a severe prognosis, and thus merits additional attention. Lupus (2007) 16, 908—914.

Key Words: Arab • mortality • race • SLE

Lupus, Vol. 16, No. 11, 908-914 (2007)
DOI: 10.1177/0961203307081112


CiteULike    Complore    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    Twitter    What's this?

This article has been cited by other articles:

				A. Al Arfaj and N Khalil Clinical and immunological manifestations in 624 SLE patients in Saudi Arabia Lupus, April 1, 2009; 18(5): 465 - 473. [Abstract] [PDF]