Korean J Dermatol.  1982 Oct;20(5):685-693.

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: Clinical and Laboratory Findings

• Lee JB
• Choi JS
• Lee SN

Abstract

Systemic lupus erythematosus is an autoimmune disease characterized by multisystem involvement and various laboratory findings. A retrospective study was made of the medical records of 59 patients with SLE at Severance hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, for the analysis of clinical and laboratory findings during the years 1970 through 198I. The results were compared with those of previous serial studies in Korea and western countries. The results obtained are as follows: l. In 59 patients with SLE, 7 patients were men and 52 patients were women (M: F=l: 7.4). Their age at onset of the dsiease ranged mainly in the 3rd and 4th decades. 2. The major clinical manifestations were skin eruptions (81%), fever(73%), renal involvements(66%), pulrnonary(66%) and cardiac(61%) abnomalities. 3. The variety of skin and mucus membrane manifestations seen included butterfly rash of face(53%), maculopapular eruption (34%), purpura(22%), and mucosal ulcer (19%) in that order. 4. Mucosal ulcers and alopecia were correlated closely with exacerbations of disease activity. Patients with Raynauds phenomenon were not likely to have severe organ involvement. 5. Compared with Western series, renal manifestation, anemia and thrombocytopenia were more frequent, and lymphadenopathy, Raynauds phenomenon and alopecia were less frequent. 6. The ANA test showed a, high sensitivity(96%) and a high titer. Compared with the patients showing a speckled pattern(30%), those showing a homogenous pattern(60%) had more severe organ involvement and poorer prognosis. 7. The anti-nDNA antibody test had a high sensitivity(81%), and indicated. severe renal involvement and poorer prognosis. Also, the titer correlated well with disease activity. 8. The disease was associated with autoimmune hemolytic anemia, Buergers disease, thyroid diseases, myelofibrcsis and chilblain. 9. A bimodal rnortality pattern was seen with infection being the major cause of early death, and renal failure and cardiopulmonary abnormalities in late death.

MeSH Terms

Alopecia
Anemia
Anemia, Hemolytic, Autoimmune
Autoimmune Diseases
Butterflies
Chilblains
Exanthema
Female
Humans
Korea
Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic*
Lymphatic Diseases
Male
Medical Records
Membranes
Mucus
Prognosis
Renal Insufficiency
Retrospective Studies
Skin
Thromboangiitis Obliterans
Thrombocytopenia
Thyroid Diseases
Ulcer