Association between lymphopenia and systemic lupus erythematosus in Iraqi patients

Abstract EN

Aim : to determine if there is any association between lymphopenia and clinical features, disease activity and damage in systemic lupus Erythematosus (SLE). Methods : the study group consists of 50 Iraqi patients with SLE mostly from Babylon Governorate who were diagnosed depending on the American College of Rheumatology revised criteria (ACR) for SLE; they were attending Marjan Teaching Hospital during the period from 1st Jan.

2007 to 1st Jul.

2008. The clinical manifestations were obtained by detailed medical history and physical examination. The disease activity was assessed with the systemic lupus erythematosus disease activity index (SLEDAI) and the Physician's Global Assessment (PGA) The disease damage was determined with the Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics Damage Index (SLICC-DI). Lymphocytes count was expressed in two categories : normal (more than 1500 / cmm) and lymphopenia (less than 1500 / cmm); the count of less than 500 / cmm was considered as marked lymphopenia. The relationship of lymphopenia with clinical, pharmacologic treatment variables, SLEDAI, PGA and SLICC-DI scores was examined. Results : lymphopenia was found to be positively associated with skin manifestations, renal involvement, serositis and the use of steroids. Marked lymphopenia was associated with even higher SLEDAI, PGA and SLICC-DI scores. Conclusion : lymphopenia was associated with some clinical manifestations of SLE and with more disease activity and damage.

Marked lymphopenia was associated with even higher disease activity and damage.