Systemic Lupus Erythematosus in the Pediatric North American Native Population of British Columbia

KRISTIN M. HOUGHTON, JACQUELINE PAGE, DAVID A. CABRAL, ROSS E. PETTY, and LORI B. TUCKER

ABSTRACT.

Objective. To compare the estimated prevalence and the phenotype of pediatric systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in a North American Native population with other ethnic groups.

Methods. We performed a retrospective chart review of all patients with SLE currently followed at the single tertiary care pediatric rheumatology clinic in our province. Data collected included demographic characteristics, family history, classification criteria for SLE, laboratory tests at diagnosis, SLE Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI) at presentation, and Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics (SLICC) damage index at 6 months.

Results. The prevalence of SLE in our pediatric Native population is 8.8 per 100,000 (n = 6) compared to 3.3 per 100,000 in the non-NAI population (n = 34) (p = 0.037, Fisher's exact test; OR 2.6, 95% CI 1.1–6.3). Family history of rheumatic disease is more common in our Native children (5/6, 83%) compared to non-Native children (5/34, 15%) (p = 0.002 Fisher's exact test; OR 29, 95% CI 2.8–303.3). The sample size is too small for reliable interpretation of disease phenotype, autoantibodies, disease activity, and disease damage measures.

Conclusion. There is an increased prevalence of SLE and familial autoimmunity among Native children in our population. Public health measures to screen children at risk may detect early disease and may reduce disease morbidity. (J Rheumatol 2006;33:161-3)

Key Indexing Terms:

NORTH AMERICAN NATIVE
PEDIATRIC
SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS

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From the Division of Rheumatology, Department of Pediatrics, University of British Columbia and British Columbia's Children's Hospital, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

Dr. Houghton is a Pediatric Rheumatology Fellow at the University of British Columbia and is supported by the British Columbia's Children's Hospital Foundation.

K.M. Houghton, MD FRCPC, Pediatric Rheumatology Fellow; J. Page, MHSc, MSc, Research Assistant; D.A. Cabral, MBBS, FAAP, FRCPC, Clinical Associate Professor; R.E. Petty, MD, PhD, FAAP, FRCPC, Professor; L.B. Tucker, MD, FAAP, Clinical Associate Professor, University of British Columbia and British Columbia's Children's Hospital.

Address reprint requests to Dr. K. Houghton, K4-119 Ambulatory Care Building, British Columbia's Children's Hospital, 4480 Oak Street, Vancouver, British Columbia V6H 3V4, Canada. E-mail: khoughton@cw.bc.ca

Accepted for publication August 25, 2005.

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