Prognostic impact of atypical presentation in pediatric systemic lupus erythematosus: results from a multicenter study.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the study is to assess the rate of atypical manifestations at onset in pediatric systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and to evaluate their effect on disease outcome.


METHODS
This is a multicenter retrospective cohort study. A manifestation was considered atypical if it was not included in the American College Rheumatology classification criteria for SLE but was reported in literature as associated with SLE. Unfavorable outcome was considered presence of organ damage in the Systemic Lupus International Collaborative Clinics/American College of Rheumatology Damage Index at the last available evaluation.


RESULTS
One hundred patients were enrolled in the study; 24% presented atypical clinical features at onset. Univariate analysis showed a significant association of worse outcome variables with the presence of atypical manifestations at onset (P = .004), as well as renal involvement (P = .027). A multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that atypical manifestations at onset (P = .018), renal involvement at onset or during follow up (P = .024), and central nervous system disease involvement during follow up (P = .021) were independent predictors of poor prognosis.


CONCLUSIONS
Our data support a relatively high rate of atypical onset in pediatric SLE. Presence of atypical manifestations at presentation and early kidney disease correlate with poor outcome. Similarly, during follow-up, kidney and central nervous system diseases are associated with worse outcome.
Department of Sciences of Reproduction and Development, Institute of Child Health IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy.
Andrea
A
Taddio
Department of Sciences of Reproduction and Development, Institute of Child Health IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy.
Elena
E
Rossetto
Division of Rheumatology A.I. duPont Hospital for Children, Department of Pediatrics, Thomas Jefferson University, Wilmington, DE.
Carlos D
CD
Rosé
Division of Rheumatology A.I. duPont Hospital for Children, Department of Pediatrics, Thomas Jefferson University, Wilmington, DE.
Anne M
AM
Brescia
Division of Rheumatology, Department of Pediatric Medicine, IRCCS Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, Rome, Italy.
Claudia
C
Bracaglia
Division of Rheumatology, Department of Pediatric Medicine, IRCCS Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, Rome, Italy.
Elisabetta
E
Cortis
Department of Pediatric Sciences, Università Cattolica Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy.
Donato
D
Rigante
Department of Pediatric Sciences, Università Cattolica Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy.
Achille
A
Stabile
Epidemiology and Biostatistics Unit, Institute of Child Health, IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy.
Marcella
M
Montico
Epidemiology and Biostatistics Unit, Institute of Child Health, IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy.
Luca
L
Ronfani
Department of Sciences of Reproduction and Development, Institute of Child Health IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy.
Alessandro
A
Ventura
Department of Sciences of Reproduction and Development, Institute of Child Health IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy.
Loredana
L
Lepore
D000293:Adolescent; D001799:Blood Sedimentation; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology; D016015:Logistic Models; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies