Systemic lupus erythematosus in South African blacks: prospective study.
BACKGROUND
The aim of the study was to evaluate clinical and laboratory findings in black South African patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and to compare these with findings in a group of white patients.


METHODS
Forty black patients were studied. The group of exclusively white patients reported by Beutner et al. was used for comparison.


RESULTS
A decreased frequency of malar rash, photosensitivity, and hematologic involvement was found in black patients. They had anti-Sm and anti-nRNP antibodies and low complement more often than white patients with SLE in Beutner et al. group.


CONCLUSIONS
More differences have been noted in laboratory than in clinical parameters and findings reported in African-Americans with SLE have been confirmed in black Africans. Ethnic factors may play a role in the symptomatology of SLE.
Department of Dermatology, University of Pretoria, Republic of South Africa.
W K
WK
Jacyk
K J
KJ
Steenkamp
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001324:Autoantigens / Q000276:immunology; D044383:Black People; D002648:Child; D003165:Complement System Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D017411:Ribonucleoproteins, Small Nuclear / Q000276:immunology; D013019:South Africa / Q000453:epidemiology; D044465:White People; D055517:snRNP Core Proteins; D001741:Black or African American
D001324:Autoantigens; D017411:Ribonucleoproteins, Small Nuclear; D055517:snRNP Core Proteins; D003165:Complement System Proteins