RESUMO
OBJECTIVES: To find the common clinical features, pattern of visceral involvement, treatment received and outcome in patients diagnosed as having systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) on American Rheumatological Association (ARA) criteria. SETTING: Clinic for patients referred or admitted to the University Medical Unit, National Hospital of Sri Lanka, Colombo, with diagnosed or suspected SLE. DESIGN AND METHODS: A prospective descriptive study. Clinical features of patients collected at time of registration in the clinic were maintained in a database. Patients were followed up prospectively and changes recorded. Data were analysed after 3 years of follow up. RESULTS: Of the 111 patients registered during this period, 96 (86%) were clinically diagnosed as having SLE. Of these, 77 patients (80%) satisfied ARA criteria for diagnosis of SLE. 72 were females (93%). The mean age of patients who satisfied the ARA criteria was 32 years (range 11 to 58), and the mean duration of disease 7 years (range 1 to 15). The commonest presentation was with mucocutaneous features (98%) and alopecia in 87%. Systemic features were found in 92% of patients. 67 (87%) of patients had visceral involvement with 60 (78%) having it at time of diagnosis. 53 (69%) had renal, 42 (54%) haematological, 33 (42%) neurological, 12 (16%) cardiac and 8 patients pulmonary involvement. Five patients died during the 3-year follow up and 2 developed chronic renal failure. Three patients underwent successful pregnancy after diagnosis of SLE. CONCLUSIONS: Our study confirmed the wide variability of clinical features seen in SLE. Alopecia and visceral involvement were common in Sri Lankan patients.