CUTANEOUS MANIFESTATION OF SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS AT INITIAL DIAGNOSIS AT A RHEUMATOLOGY CLINIC IN LAGOS, NIGERIA

CUTANEOUS MANIFESTATION OF SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS AT INITIAL DIAGNOSIS

Abstract

Background: How many systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients have cutaneous lesions at initial diagnosis and the type of cutaneous lesions is not often documented. The aim of this study was to document the prevalence of cutaneous lesions at initial diagnosis and to compare cutaneous lesions between adults and children, between those aged ≤40 years and ≥ 41 years. 

Methodology: This cross-sectional descriptive study of 75 consecutive SLE patients at the rheumatology outpatient clinic of the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital was conducted over a 7-month period in 2020 (March, July-December). Data on sociodemographic variables (age, gender, duration of SLE) were documented using a study proforma. Data was analysed using the SPSS version 22.

Result: The median age of the patients was 32 (IQR 25,39) years and their age ranged from 12-75 years. There were 74 females (98.7%). Patients aged <39 years accounted for 76% of the population. Cutaneous manifestation was noted in 45 (60%) of the patients. Cutaneous SLE was acute, subacute and chronic in 75.6%, 4.4% and 20.0% respectively. Cutaneous lesions were more common in adults.  Patients who were ≤ 40 years had more cutaneous lesions than those older. Sicca symptoms and oral ulcers were absent in the older patients. Photosensitivity and hair loss were commoner in the younger patients.

Conclusion: Cutaneous features are common in SLE at initial diagnosis with the acute cutaneous type being more common. Differences in cutaneous features exist between early and late onset SLE with cutaneous features being uncommon in children.

 

Keywords: Hair loss, photosensitivity, rashes, systemic lupus erythematosus