title: Photosensitivity and anti-Ro (SS-A) antibodies in black patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).
abstract: Ninety-two patients with SLE, 36 black and 56 white, were studied prospectively for photosensitivity and anti-Ro (SS-A) and anti-La (SS-B) antibodies. Photosensitivity was found in 19% of black patients, compared to 71% of white patients (p = 0.001). Anti-Ro antibodies were found in 69% of black and 54% of white patients (p = 0.013). Photosensitivity was present in 87% of Ro-positive white patients and in 54% of Ro-negative white patients (p = 0.007). However, in black patients with SLE there was a strong negative association: 4% of Ro-positive patients were photosensitive while 55% of Ro-negatives were photosensitive (p = 0.001). This suggests that black SLE patients may possess a factor which 'blocks' photosensitivity, perhaps by preventing local tissue damage caused by the interaction of Ro antibodies and ultraviolet light.
authors: Department of Rheumatology, University of the Witwatersrand, Parktown, South Africa.
authors: P G
authors: PG
authors: Sutej
authors: A J
authors: AJ
authors: Gear
authors: R C
authors: RC
authors: Morrison
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Tikly
authors: M
authors: M
authors: de Beer
authors: L
authors: L
authors: Dos Santos
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Sher
mesh_terms: D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear / Q000032:analysis*; D044383:Black People; D006801:Humans; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology*; D010787:Photosensitivity Disorders / Q000209:etiology*; D044465:White People
chemical_list: D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear; C035356:SS-A antibodies; C035357:SS-B antibodies