Abstract 13 — Comparison of Clinical and Serological Features in Juvenile and Adult-Onset Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Background Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) has varying clinical and serological features in juvenile and adult-onset disease groups, depending on the ethnicity. Objectives: To compare the disease characteristics of patients with adult-onset (ASLE) and juvenile-onset systemic lupus erythematosus (JSLE). Methods It is a cross-sectional study, carried out at Rheumatology department Fauji Foundation Hospital. 184 SLE patients were included. They were divided into adult (n=152) and juvenile (n=32) group. The clinical and serological features at the time of disease onset were compared between the two groups. Statistical analysis was done using chi square and t-test. Results The mean age was 36.22 ± 11.48 in adults and 19.94 ± 7.17 in the juvenile group (t = 7.71, p<0.001). The duration of disease was 46.05 ± 45.74 months(adult) and 62.43 ± 84.00 months (juvenile). There was no significant difference in disease activity, SLE disease activity index (SLEDAI) was 13 in adult lupus patients and 14.5 in the juvenile, t-value=1.1 and p-value=0.39. Sicca symptoms were significant in the ASLE (p=0.004). Neuropsychiatric manifestations (p=0.03), thrombocytopenia (p=0.048) and low complement levels (0.02) were significantly higher in JSLE. Serological profiles did not differ significantly in the two groups. Conclusion The features of SLE differ in adult and juvenile patients. Neurological involvement and thrombocytopenia were more prevalent in JSLE, whereas sicca symptoms were more frequently found in ASLE.