Related factors of systemic lupus erythematosus: clinical analysis of 203 cases

Abstract

To investigate the related factors of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and the situation of diagnosis and treatment after onset. 203 SLE patients, 11 males and 192 females, with a male/female ratio of 1:17, average onset age of (32 +/- 14), and average course of 3 years, were followed up and the related factors such as risk factors, family history and the situation of diagnosis and treatment were studied. 63 patients (31%) had the history of overworking before falling ill; 47 patients (23.2%) had suffered from infection before SLE onset. Other risk factors, such as solarization, emotional fluctuation, menstrual disorder, abortion, dyeing, and chemical drug contacting accounted for 14.3%, 14.3%, 9.4%, 6.9% , 4.9%, and 1.5% respectively. 16 patients (7.9%) had positive family history. 120 patients got the correct diagnosis at the first visit. 83 patients had been misdiagnosed for less than 1 year to 14 years. 47 of the 83 patients (23.2%) failed to get the correct diagnosis for more than one year. 140 of the 203 patients (69.0%) were given glucocorticoid and/or immunosuppressant as the first choice treatment measures after the diagnosis was confirmed. 39 of the 203 patients (19.2%) chose traditional Chinese medicine or folk prescription as the first choice. And 24 of the 203 patients (11.8%) used anti-inflammatory, and antipyretic drugs. 128 patients (63.1%) failed to continue to work. Overworking, infection, solarization, and emotional fluctuation may be related to the onset of SLE. A great part of SLE patients can not be diagnosed early and treated promptly. SLE brings bad influence on the life quality of patients.