RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Prevalence of systemic lupus erythematosus in central Saudi Arabia
JF Saudi Medical Journal
JO Saudi Med J
FD Prince Sultan Military Medical City
SP 87
OP 89
VO 23
IS 1
A1 Abdurhman S. Al-Arfaj
A1 Suliman R. Al-Balla
A1 Abdullah N. Al-Dalaan
A1 Salman S. Al-Saleh
A1 Sultan A. Bahabri
A1 Mohammed M. Mousa
A1 Mohammed A. Sekeit
YR 2002
UL http://smj.org.sa/content/23/1/87.abstract
AB OBJECTIVE: Although systemic lupus erythematosus of varying severity has been seen in our clinics, there is no information regarding the prevalence of the disease among Saudi nationals. We conducted this study to determine the prevalence of systemic lupus erythematosus in Al-Qaseem region of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.METHODS: A community survey of towns and villages in the Al-Qaseem area of central Saudi Arabia was conducted in 3 phases to determine the prevalence of systemic lupus erythematosus in the region.RESULTS: Of the 10,372 studied, 2 cases of systemic lupus erythematosus were identified using the criteria set for the diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus by the American College of Rheumatology. Based on that, the prevalence of systemic lupus erythematosus was estimated to be 19.28 per 100,000 population in the region.CONCLUSION: The estimated prevalence of systemic lupus erythematosus in Al-Qaseem area is similar to that found in western countries.