title: Effect of gender on clinical presentation in systemic lupus erythematosus.
abstract: The incidence of SLE is markedly increased in females of child-bearing age. Although males are protected in terms of incidence of disease, it is unclear whether a distinct phenotype of male lupus exists in those who do develop SLE. We sought to explore through a detailed literature review whether gender exerts an influence on the clinical presentation and outcome of SLE. We found that males experience less of the typical mucocutaneous and musculoskeletal symptoms commonly present at diagnosis in women. On the other hand, there is limited evidence to support a negative prognostic association between male gender and disease activity or mortality.
authors: Department of Rheumatology, University College Hospital, 3rd Floor Central, 250 Euston Road, London NW1 2PQ, UK. grainne927@yahoo.com.
authors: Grainne
authors: G
authors: Murphy
authors: David
authors: D
authors: Isenberg
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017668:Age of Onset; D000569:Americas / Q000208:ethnology; D001208:Asia / Q000208:ethnology; D057210:Delayed Diagnosis; D005060:Europe / Q000208:ethnology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008017:Life Expectancy; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000208:ethnology / Q000209:etiology; D008181:Lupus Nephritis / Q000175:diagnosis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012737:Sex Factors
keywords: SLE; lupus nephritis; male gender; outcome measures