clinical manifestations of systemic lupus erythematosus in Pakistan correlate with rest of Asia?

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus [SLE] is known to be different among people with different racial, geographical and socio-economic back grounds. Asia has diverse ethnic groups broadly, Orientals in the East and Southeast Asia, Indians in South Asia and Arabs in the Middle East. These regions differ significantly from the Caucasians with reference to SLE. The purpose of this study was, therefore, to delineate the clinical pattern and disease course in Pakistani patients with SLE and compare it with Asian data. Patients with SLE fulfilling the clinical and laboratory criteria of the American Rheumatism Association admitted at the Aga Khan University Hospital between 1986 and 2001 were studied by means of a retrospective review of their records. The results were compared with various studies in different regions of Asia. Demographically, it was seen that SLE is a disease predominantly of females in their third decade, which is generally consistent with Asian data. There was less cutaneous manifestations, arthritis, serositis, haematological and renal involvement compared to various regions in Asia. The neurological manifestations of SLE, however, place Pakistani patients in the middle of a spectrum between South Asians and other Asian races. This study has shown that the clinical characteristics of SLE patients in our country may be different to those of other Asian races. Although our population is similar to South Asians, but clinical manifestations of our SLE patients are considerably different, suggesting some unknown etiology. Further studies are required to confirm the above results and to find statistically sounder associations

Renal Involvement in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus in Pakistan

To find the prevalence of lupus nephritis, delineate its clinical, immunological and therapeutic characteristics and compare them with the data worldwide. Between 1985 and 2001, 198 patients with SLE fulfilling the clinical and laboratory criteria of the American Rheumatism Association [ARA] admitted to the hospital were studied by means of a retrospective review of their records. Renal involvement was found in 89 [45%] patients. Biopsy showed lupus nephritis in 42 patients; there were 9 male and 33 females. Mean age at initial presentation was 27 years and mean duration of follow-up was 2.3 years. The histological types [WHO Classification] were mainly class. 4 [n=27], class 3 [n=7] and class 5 [n=6]. Immunoflourescence showed a predominantly granular pattern of IgG, IgA and C3. Renal manifestations included renal failure [50%], microscopic hematuria [67%], active urine sediment [22%], and proteinuria [74%]. Proteinuria was nephrotic range in 45% patients. Treatment was with combinations of prednisolone and cyclophosphamide [n=13], prednisolone and azathioprine [n=27]. 19 patients received high dose methyl prednisolone [1 gm/day for 3 days]. There was no difference in mortality rate between prednisolone and cyclophosphamide and prednisolone and azathioprine treatment groups. The overall mortality rate was 17% [n=7]. Mortality was higher in WHO class 4 and 5 as compared to class 2 and 3 [p<0.001]. The prevalence of lupus nephritis in our population is an intermediate between Caucasians and other Asians. Certain clinical characteristics in our patients with lupus nephritis are different as compared to various other studies. Because of limited resources for treatment in developing countries, we believe that patients with lupus nephritis should be treated with improved ancillary medical therapies and more effective immunosuppressive regimens