Pattern of Hematological Manifestations in Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Attending in a Tertiary Care Hospital

Abstract

Background: Systemic lupus erythematosus is characterized by a wide range of symptoms, and hematological abnormalities are a typical complication (SLE). There are some that are immediately life-threatening and need immediate attention, and then there are those that require more careful thought. Objective: The purpose of this research was to better understand the hematological symptoms experienced by people with SLE. Method: This cross sectional study was carried out at tertiary hospital, Bangladesh from January 2021 to October 2022. Where a total of 100 Patients of SLE as diagnosed according to American college of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria were included in the study and patients with hematological problems for due to other diseases were excluded. Results: During the study, 21-25 years age group, 30% and 90% were female. Most common presenting complaints were arthralgia (82%) followed by malar rash(70%) and myalgia (66%). 25% had hypertension, 16% had autoimmune thyroids, 5% had DM, 40% had no history of previous. 80%were taken sterios, followed by 30% were taken Mycophenolate Mofetil, 25% were taken Cyclophosphamide, 9% were taken Methotrexate. In addition to that, Anemia was the most common hematological abnormality detected in 70% patients. Normocytic normochromic anemia (NNA) was the most common peripheral blood film (PBF) findings found in 36% of the patients followed by microcytic hypochromicanemia (MHA) 30%. A positive direct Coomb’s test was found in 40% of the patients and antiphospholipid antibody (APLA) was positive in 20% of the patients. Conclusion: Patients with SLE often have haematological abnormalities. Differentiating haematological abnormalities as a symptom of SLE, a side effect of SLE therapy, or part of another blood dyscrasia is essential.