Photosensitivity and anti-Ro (SS-A) antibodies in black patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).
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.
Sutej
P G
PG
Department of Rheumatology, University of the Witwatersrand, Parktown, South Africa.
Gear
A J
AJ
Morrison
R C
RC
Tikly
M
M
de Beer
M
M
Dos Santos
L
L
Sher
R
R
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
D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear; C035356:SS-A antibodies; C035357:SS-B antibodies