RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus in Bahrain. A tertiary referral center experience
JF Saudi Medical Journal
JO Saudi Med J
FD Prince Sultan Military Medical City
SP 667
OP 672
VO 30
IS 5
A1 Al-Mosawi, Zakiya
A1 Al-Hermi, Badriya E.
A1 Al-Saad, Khulood K.
A1 Farid, Eman M.
A1 Makki, Hussain A.
YR 2009
UL http://smj.org.sa/content/30/5/667.abstract
AB OBJECTIVE: To analyze the clinical and serological features of children with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in a major referral center in Bahrain and to assess the comorbidity, its morbidity, and mortality.METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical charts of children with SLE treated in the Pediatric Rheumatology Clinic at Salmaniya Medical Complex, Kingdom of Bahrain from 1998 to 2007. The ethical approval for the study was obtained from the Research Health Committee, Ministry of Health, Kingdom of Bahrain.RESULTS: Thirty-two children with SLE were identified. Thirty-one (96.8%) were Bahrainis. The mean age was 14 ± 4 years, the mean age of disease onset was 9 ± 4 years and the mean duration of illness was 7 ± 5 years. The female to male ratio was 2.5:1. Twenty-five percent of the cases had relatives with SLE. Eight patients (25%) had sickle cell anemia (SCA). Systems involved were as follows: skin (93%), kidney (81%), musculoskeletal system (65%), blood (56%), gastrointestinal tract (31%), central nervous system (31%), lungs and cardiovascular system (21%). Serological tests showed: positive antinuclear antibody in 90.6%, and positive anti double-stranded DNA antibody in 65%. The morbidity rate was 21% (n=7) due to complication and 12.5% (n=4) died.CONCLUSION: Clinical and serological results were comparable with the international studies. Nephritis was the primary cause of morbidity and mortality. Coexistence of SLE with SCA was also reported in other studies and may need further investigation with genetic studies.