Background: Systemic lupus erythematosus is a chronic autoimmune disorder that can affect multiple organ systems. It is more common in women of childbearing age and can be life-threatening. Its cause is not known and is diagnosed using one of three criteria. However, there is a lack of information about the prevalence and characteristics of SLE in native Sub-Saharan Africans. This study helps to gain a better understanding of the disease, develop suitable preventative and treatment measures, and improve patient outcomes.^[1]

Objectives: This study aimed to assess the prevalence, risk factors, clinical features and laboratory profiles of systemic lupus erythematosus among adult patients who visited rheumatology clinic at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted for patients aged 18 years or older who visited the adult rheumatology clinic of Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital in 2022. Data was extracted from the hospital’s password-encrypted I-care system, then edited, cleaned, and compiled. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the study population, and associations between independent and dependent variables were expressed through Odds Ratio, P-value, and the 95% using both simple and multiple logistic regression analyses.

Results: Our study showed that 7.01% (n=256) of the 3650 patients who visited the adult rheumatology clinic had systemic lupus erythematosus. 94.1% of the patients were female, with a male to female ratio of 1:16. The median age of the patients was 34.2 years, and the median duration of symptoms before diagnosis was 6.5 months. Cigarette smoking was found to be a risk factor for SLE and was 6 times more common in males than females. More than 90% of the patients presented with constitutional symptoms such as fever, joint pain, and fatigue.

Photo-sensitivity (n=163, 63.7%) and chronic cutaneous lupus with discoid type (n=121, 47.3%) were the common cutaneous features. The most common comorbidities were cardiovascular diseases (41.8%), lupus nephritis (21.1%), neuro-psychiatric illnesses (20.3%), pulmonary manifestations (35.9%), ophthalmic manifestations (28.9%), and gastrointestinal manifestations (15.5%). Antinuclear antibody (ANA) was positive in 98.8% of patients, and 67.9% tested positive for anti-dsDNA antibodies. All patients were started on antimalarial agents, and more than 95% of them were put on adjunct systemic corticosteroids.

Conclusion: The prevalence of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in our area is 7.01%. More than one-third of the patients with SLE also experience non-rheumatic symptoms. Lupus is on the rise in African countries due to the improvement of rheumatologic services. Primary care physicians must have a good knowledge of the symptoms of SLE for early diagnosis, management, and prevention of complications.

REFERENCES: [1] M Essouma, J Nkeck, F Endomba, J Bigna, M Ngandeu, E Hachulla, et al. Systemic lupus erythematosus in Native sub-Saharan Africans: A systematic review and meta-analysis, Journal of Autoimmunity, Volume 106, 2020

Acknowledgements: NIL.

Disclosure of Interests: None declared.