Clinical and serological features of male Systemic Lupus Erythematosus patients from Western India

Abstract

IntroductionSystemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), a prototype autoimmune disease can have bizarre clinical presentation. Male SLE patients are believed to suffer more from renal, neurological and cardiovascular manifestations as compared with women SLE patients. A proper and early diagnosis is needed especially in male sex in order to minimize mortality associated with the disease. AimThis study was designed to determine whether the gender plays any role in severity among Indian SLE patients. Material & methodsThe clinical and laboratory features of 28 males in comparison with 222 female SLE patients from Mumbai, Western India were analyzed. SLE disease activity was evaluated by SLE Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI) score at the time of evaluation. ResultsAge of disease onset and age at evaluation was comparatively lower among male SLE patients as compared to females whereas mean disease duration was higher among females (1.8 years vs 3.5 years). SLEDAI was more among females than in males. Renal histopathological findings revealed that mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis (MPGN) was more prevalent in males. Oral ulcers, renal disorders and hematological disorders such as leucopenia, lymphopenia, thrombocytopenia and autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) were more prevalent in male patients. Hepatosplenomegaly was also seen more frequently in male patients (32% vs 21%) (p < 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference noted among autoantibody profile when two genders were compared. ConclusionIndian SLE patients showed differences in clinical manifestations between male and female patients supporting the hypothesis that gender biases exist in clinical expression of the disease.