CE-24 Comparison of systemic lupus erythematosus in 3 different asian ethnic groups: results from the 1000 canadian faces of lupus cohort

Abstract

Background Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is more prevalent and severe in non-Caucasians including Asians. However, Asian ethnicity includes broad geographic, cultural, and genetic diversity. There is limited data examining SLE among North American Asian ethnicities. We describe SLE in 3 Asian subgroups from a large SLE cohort. Materials and methods The 1000 Faces of Lupus is a multicenter Canadian cohort of over 2000 patients. Sociodemographics, ACR classification criteria (ACRc), autoantibodies, disease activity scores (SLEDAI), Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics damage index (SDI) scores, and treatments are collected using standardised tools. Ethnicity was self-reported. Asian subgroups were divided by origin country into East Asian (EA), Southeast Asian (SEA), South Asian (SA) and Central Asian (CA). Baseline data for Asians and Caucasians were abstracted and cross-sectional univariate analyses including t-tests, one-way ANOVA, and chi-square tests were performed. Results There were 334 Asians (EA = 176, SEA = 78, SA = 78, CA = 2), and 1275 Caucasians. CA were excluded. Mean Asian onset age was younger (EA = 23 ± 13 years; SEA = 21±10 years; SA = 20 ± 11 years, Caucasian 33 ± 15 years, p Conclusions In this analysis comparing Asian ethnic subgroups, we found only subtle differences between EA, SEA, and SA with SLE; as expected disease appeared more severe than in Caucasians. However, a strikingly high proportion of all Asians had onset in childhood. Along with the high proportion who were new Canadians, this suggests the potential for a growing burden of SLE in this population. Future studies of outcomes and optimal treatments are indicated. Acknowledgements Presented on behalf of Canadian Network for Improved Outcomes for Systemic Lupus Erythematous (CaNIOS) 1000 Faces Investigators.