Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Severity in Men and Women: A Case-Control Study

CYNTHIA ARANOW, JOSE DEL GUIDICE, PETER BARLAND, and ARTHUR WEINSTEIN

ABSTRACT.

Objective. To assess the severity of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in men compared to women.

Methods. A validated Lupus Severity of Disease Index (SDI) was used to assess disease severity in a retrospective multicenter case-control study. Each man (n = 18) was matched with 1-3 women (n = 36) for age, disease duration, and clinical setting. Clinical and serologic features were assessed and compared.

Results. There was no significant sex difference in disease severity (SDI 4.8 men vs 3.9 women). Comparison of other clinical or serologic manifestations showed that cerebritis, thromboembolic phenomena, and antiphospholipid antibodies were more common in men.

Conclusion. There is no difference in lupus disease severity between men and women. However, there are sex-specific differences in expression of some disease manifestations. (J Rheumatol 2002; 29:1674-7)

Key Indexing Terms:

SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS
MALES
DISEASE SEVERITY

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From the Division of Rheumatic Disease and Immunology, Department of Medicine, New York Medical College, Valhalla; and the Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center, Albert Einstein School of Medicine, Bronx, New York, USA.

Supported by the Lupus Foundation of America, Hudson Valley Chapter.

C. Aranow, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine, SUNY Downstate Medical Center; J. Del Guidice, MD; P. Barland, MD, Professor of Medicine, Albert Einstein School of Medicine; A. Weinstein, MD, Professor of Medicine, Washington Hospital Center.

Address reprint requests to Dr. C. Aranow, SUNY Downstate at Brooklyn, Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, 450 Clarkson Ave., Box 42, Brooklyn, NY 11203.

Submitted May 24, 2001; revision accepted February 7, 2002.