NIGERIAN TEACHING HOSPITAL

*Oguntona S. A. and Adelowo O O.

Department of Medicine

Olabisi Onabanjo University, Sagamu, Ogunstate Nigeria.

E- mail- oguntonasa@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

Background- SLE is a multi-systemic inflammatory condition and can present with multiple end organ damage. Early diagnosis and appropriate therapeutic intervention can however delay organ involvementin SLE.

Method- A retrospective study of all the admitted rheumatology cases including SLE over five years was carried out. SLE cases were further studied determining organ(s) that were affected. Relevant literature search was done.

Result– Organ damage was found in 16 out of the 26 SLE patients seen over five years. Multiple organ damage was seen in some patients. The most frequently affected system was the neuropsychiatric system and the least affected was the ocular. Malignancy, diabetes mellitus, peripheral vascular disease, and premature gonadal failure were not found to be affected in our patients. The most frequent individual items on the SLICC/ACR damage index were seizure and proteinuria. Two patients with renal lupus are still surviving till date, one was lost to follow up and the other three died due to lack of financial resources to continue with renal replacement therapy.

Conclusion- Neuropsychiatric involvement in SLE is common as demonstrated by earlier studies. This study has also demonstrated that renal involvement is a leading cause of death in SLE patients.

Running Title– Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, Organ Involvement, Multiple Organ Damage, Corticosteroid, Immunosuppressives.