Pattern of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Among Nigerians

February 2009 in “ Clinical Rheumatology ”

Olufemi Adelowo, Akintayo Segun Oguntona

systemic lupus erythematosus SLE hair loss polyarthralgia neuropsychiatric manifestations elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rates high anti-nuclear antibody titres immunosuppressives lupus ANA ESR

TLDR SLE is more common among Nigerians than previously thought, especially in women, requiring early treatment.

The study examined the clinical presentations, laboratory, and serological characteristics of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) among Nigerians over a 6-year period at a rheumatology clinic in Lagos. SLE accounted for 5.28% of 1,250 rheumatology cases, with 95.5% of the 66 patients being female, aged 17-55 years. Common symptoms included polyarthralgia, fever, and hair loss, with neuropsychiatric manifestations also frequent. Elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rates and high anti-nuclear antibody titres were noted. The findings suggested that SLE might not be as rare among African Blacks as previously thought, highlighting the need for early aggressive treatment with immunosuppressives.

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