Systemic Lupus Erythematosus in India: A Clinico-Serological Correlation

The study on systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in India, involving 40 patients, found that the mean age of onset was 23.3 years with a female to male ratio of 19:1. Common skin lesions included malar rash (77.5%), photosensitivity (70%), and non-scarring alopecia (60%). Systemic manifestations frequently observed were arthritis (77.5%) and nephritis (30%). Among patients with only cutaneous manifestations, a significant number had positive serological markers such as antinuclear antibody (85%) and anti-double-stranded DNA (57%). The findings suggest that early identification of SLE through skin lesions and serological profiles can precede systemic symptoms, highlighting the importance of environmental factors in the Indian context.