Neuropsychiatric manifestations systemic lupus erythematosus: a study from South India.
BACKGROUND
Neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus (NPSLE) has varied manifestations.


OBJECTIVE
To study the pattern of neuropsychiatric (NP) involvement in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).


METHODS
Hospital based cross sectional and retrospective study.


METHODS
Patients admitted with a diagnosis of SLE, during a period of 16 months, were evaluated and any NP syndrome present classified as per the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) nomenclature.


METHODS
SPSS software Version 10 was used for descriptive analysis and correlative study.


RESULTS
Out of 50 patients with SLE, all the patients with NPSLE [39 (78%)] were females, mean age 25.66 years (range: 11-44). The commonest manifestation was headache [20 (55.6%)]. Seizures were seen in 8 (20.51%) and psychosis in 6 (16.2%). Fine distal tremor was seen in 8 (20.51%) of patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Headache is a frequent NP syndrome. Fine distal tremor is a syndrome not included in ACR classification but seen is 20% of our patients with NPSLE.
Robert
M
M
Department of Neurology, Medical College Hospital, Trivandrum, Kerala, India. robert_mathew@hotmail.com
Sunitha
R
R
Thulaseedharan
N K
NK