Mortality study in Puerto Ricans with systemic lupus erythematosus

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To determine the most common causes of death among Puerto Ricans with systemic lupus erythematosus. METHODS: Chart and record review of all deaths related to SLE complications from 1960 to 1994 at the University of Puerto Rico Hospital. RESULTS: Out of 662 patients diagnosed with SLE 161 (24) died. There were 151 (94) females and 10 (6) males. Mean duration of disease was 11.5 years. Mean age at death was 37 years. The primary causes of death were infection in 44 (27), uremia in 42 (26), cardiovascular complications in 33 (20), central nervous system complications in 18 (11), and pulmonary complications (other than infectious pneumonia) in 12 (7). CONCLUSIONS: The most common causes of death in SLE were infections and renal disease.