Clinical Analysis Of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus In 41 Male Children

Objective To explore the clinical features and laboratory data of systemic lupus erythematosus(SLE) in male children.Methods 41 male and 204 female systemic lupus erythematosus children were admitted into our hospital during January 2006 to August 2015. 41 female cases were extracted from the 204 female cases to compare with 41 males about their initial manifestations, system involvement, laboratory features, treatments and outcomes.Results No statistical differences were found in the age of onset, family history of rheumatic disease, major initial manifestations, inflammatory index and immunological index between the male and female groups. The major initial manifestations were fever, rash, edema, pain in joints and muscles in both two groups. There was significant difference in incidence of erythrocyte sedimentation rate(ESR) and c-reactive protein(CRP)(P < 0.05) in each group. No statistical differences were found in the incidence of proteinuria, renal insufficiency, blood system damage, cardiac damage and neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus(NPSLE) between the two groups. Type IV was the most common pathology classification of 28 male patients and 20 female patients with renal biopsy. Glucocorticoids and immunosuppressants were the main method for treatment. Evaluating the outcomes by Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index(SLEDAI) score system, the improvement rate(significant effective and effective) of two groups were 87.8%(36 cases),in male and 82.9%(34 cases) in female group(P > 0.05). The mortality of two groups were 4.9%(,2 cases of male) and 12.2%(5 cases of female)(P>0.05). Average onset age of the 7 dead cases was 8.0±1.9 years, which was younger than the average onset age(11.2±2.5 years) of total 82 cases(P<0.05).Conclusion Male SLE children usually take fever, rash, edema, joints and muscles pain as the major initial manifestations. Urinary system, blood system, cardiac system and neuropsychopathic system are easily involved. Type IV is the most common pathology classification in the male patients with lupus nephritis. The younger onset age might indicate a worse prognosis.