Analysis on the risk factors for organ damage in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: a cross-sectional single-center experience.

Abstract

Organ damage in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) occurs as a consequence of the disease itself, the therapy applied and the accompanying conditions and complications. Organ damage predicts further organ damage and is associated with an increased risk of death. This study aimed to assess the degree of irreversible organ changes in SLE patients, using the Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics/American College of Rheumatology (SLICC/ACR) damage index (SDI); to establish correlations between organ damage and disease activity, quality of life, intensity of fatigue and serological factors; and to ascertain the risk factors for organ damage. Cross-sectional single-center study conducted at the Institute for Treatment and Rehabilitation "Niška Banja", Niš, Serbia. 83 patients with SLE were enrolled: 58 patients formed the group with organ damage (SDI ≥ 1), and 25 patients without organ damage served as controls (SDI = 0). Organ damage correlated with age (P = 0.002), disease duration (P = 0.015), disease activity (grade 1, P = 0.014; and grade 2, P = 0.007), poor quality of life, severe fatigue (P = 0.047) and treatment with azathioprine (P = 0.037). The following factors were protective: use of hydroxychloroquine (P = 0.048) and higher scores obtained for the physical (P = 0.011), mental (P = 0.022) and general health (P = 0.008) domains. It is very important to evaluate risk factors for organ damage in the body, including physicians' overall assessment, to try to positively influence better treatment outcomes.