RESUMO
Objective To investigate the clinic features and risk factors for central nervous system (CNS) infection in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. Methods Clinical data of 18 cases of hospitalized lupus patients with CNS infection were analyzed retrospectively.Thirty-three lupus patients without CNS infection were selected as control. Results There were significant differences between the CNS infection group and control group in the dosage of corticosteroid used for pulse therapy (22% vs 3%, P<0.05), the aver-age dosage of corticosteroid used within one year (35±18 vs 24±17, P<0.05), peripheral blood leukocyte count (4.4±3.4 vs 6.7±2.9, P<0.05) and lymphocyte count (0.7±0.6 vs 1.5±0.7, P<0.01), and clinical outcome (mortality rate was 22% vs 0, P<0.05). Conclusion The clinical manifestations of CNS infection may be atypical. Large-dosage corticosteroid therapy, higher daily dosage of corticosteroid used, decreased peripheral lymphocytes and leucocytes counts are risk factors of central nervous system infection in lupus patients.