The effect of age on clinical and serological manifestations in unselected patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.
In a unique series of 80 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus constituting all identified cases in a defined population, the effect of age, at onset and at diagnosis, on disease expression was examined. Contrary to current views, the incidence of the disease was similar among all age groups. The proportion of patients with serositis, secondary Sjögren's syndrome, and anti-SSA antibodies gradually increased with age, while that of cutaneous symptoms, antibodies to native DNA, and hypocomplementemia decreased. Serositis was common as the initial symptom in the elderly and serositis or musculoskeletal manifestations were the initial symptom in 88% of patients over 50 at onset of disease.
Jonsson
H
H
Department of Rheumatology, University Hospital, Lund, Sweden.
Nived
O
O
Sturfelt
G
G
D000328:Adult; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear / Q000032:analysis; D004247:DNA / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007592:Joint Diseases / Q000150:complications; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012700:Serositis / Q000150:complications; D012859:Sjogren's Syndrome / Q000150:complications; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000150:complications
D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear; C035356:SS-A antibodies; D004247:DNA