Objective: To determine major symptoms and signs in patients of systemic lupus erythematosus.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at the Lady Reading Hospital, Khyber Teaching Hospital and Hayatabad Medical Complex, Peshawar, Pakistan, from January 15, 2014, to August 15, 2016, and comprised patients of systemic lupus erythematosus. Data was collected through an interview-based questionnaire containing questions about different symptoms. SPSS 20 was used for data analysis.
Results: Of the 663 patients, 606(91.4%) were females and 57(8.6%) males. The overall mean age of patients was 33.09 ± 12.40 years and the mean age of diagnosis was 31.85 ± 12.40 years. The most common general symptom in our study was fatigue which was present in 524(79.03%) patients. Other constitutional symptoms were fever 334(50.04%), body aches 443(66.08%) and weakness 411(62%). The most common clinical manifestation in our study was arthritis 518(78.1%). Malar rash was found in 487(73.5%) patients. Dry eye was in 227(34.2%) patients, followed by conjunctivitis 156(23.5%). Anaemia was present in 444(66.96%) patients, followed by leukopenia 166(25.03%) and thrombocytopenia 42(6.33%).
Conclusions: Significant regional differences existed in the clinical manifestations of systemic lupus erythematosus in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa compared to other regions.
Keywords: Systemic lupus erythematosus, Autoimmune disease, Lupus antibodies..