Work

Hematological manifestations in systemic lupus erythematosus: a retrospective cross-sectional study from a tertiary care center in Nepal

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Background: Hematological abnormalities are common in systemic lupus erythematosus and anemia is the most common hematological manifestation. Studies investigating hematological disorders in Nepali SLE patients are lacking. This study is aimed to understand hematological abnormalities in South Asian population especially Nepali SLE patients. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at a tertiary care center in Nepal after obtaining ethical approval from 2019 January to 2023 December. All the patients diagnosed based upon 2019 European League of Associations for Rheumatology and American College of Rheumatology (2019 EULAR/ACR) criteria were included in study excluding those with underlying blood disorders. Hospital records and electronic health records were reviewed retrospectively. A structured proforma was used to collect the data and Microsoft Excel was used for entering the data. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 16.0 was used for descriptive analysis. Results: The mean age of 99 SLE patients was 29.31 ± 11.01 years (95% CI, 27.12-31.51). Females were 87 (87.88%) with 38 (38.38%) were of age group 21-30 years. Hematological abnormalities were present in 92 (92.92%) patients; anemia was present in 88 (88.89%) patients followed by lymphopenia, leukopenia, and thrombocytopenia in 56 (56.57%), 24 (24.24%), and 14 (14.14%) patients, respectively. Arthritis was present in 67 (67.68%) and mucocutaneous manifestations in 63 (63.63%) patients. Fifty-nine (59.60%) patients had renal involvement. Arthritis and renal involvement were common across all hematological abnormalities. Conclusion: Hematological abnormalities especially anemia is much more common than previously reported. Clinician should assess the hematological disorders in SLE patients. Prospective multicenter studies are required to relate organ involvement and hematological manifestations.

Source: Annals of Medicine and Surgery

DOI: 10.1097/ms9.0000000000003765

Authors: Krishna Adhikari, Himal Karki, Pradeep Shrestha, Keshav Raj Sigdel, Lucky Sharma, Buddhi Prasad Paudel

Institution: Patan Academy of Health Sciences

Language: English

Topic: Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Research

Subfield: Rheumatology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,850