Systemic lupus erythematosus in the pediatric North American Native population of British Columbia.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the estimated prevalence and the phenotype of pediatric systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in a North American Native population with other ethnic groups.


METHODS
We performed a retrospective chart review of all patients with SLE currently followed at the single tertiary care pediatric rheumatology clinic in our province. Data collected included demographic characteristics, family history, classification criteria for SLE, laboratory tests at diagnosis, SLE Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI) at presentation, and Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics (SLICC) damage index at 6 months.


RESULTS
The prevalence of SLE in our pediatric Native population is 8.8 per 100,000 (n = 6) compared to 3.3 per 100,000 in the non-NAI population (n = 34) (p = 0.037, Fisher's exact test; OR 2.6, 95% CI 1.1-6.3). Family history of rheumatic disease is more common in our Native children (5/6, 83%) compared to non-Native children (5/34, 15%) (p = 0.002 Fisher's exact test; OR 29, 95% CI 2.8-303.3). The sample size is too small for reliable interpretation of disease phenotype, autoantibodies, disease activity, and disease damage measures.


CONCLUSIONS
There is an increased prevalence of SLE and familial autoimmunity among Native children in our population. Public health measures to screen children at risk may detect early disease and may reduce disease morbidity.
Houghton
Kristin M
KM
Division of Rheumatology, Department of Pediatrics, University of British Columbia and British Columbia's Children's Hospital, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. khoughton@cw.bc.ca
Page
Jacqueline
J
Cabral
David A
DA
Petty
Ross E
RE
Tucker
Lori B
LB
D000293:Adolescent; D001955:British Columbia / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005192:Family Health; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007198:Indians, North American; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008947:Mixed Connective Tissue Disease / Q000208:ethnology / Q000503:physiopathology; D016017:Odds Ratio; D015995:Prevalence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D044465:White People