Alcohol, smoking and illicit drug use in pediatric systemic lupus erythematosus patients.
To evaluate alcohol, smoking and/or illicit drug use, and history of bullying in adolescent childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus and healthy controls.



174 adolescents with pediatric rheumatic diseases were selected. All of the 34 childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus patients and 35 healthy controls participated in this study. A cross-sectional study included demographic/anthropometric data and puberty markers assessments; structured questionnaire and CRAFFT screening interview.



McNemar tests indicated an excellent test-retest reliability of the structured questionnaire (p=1.0). The median current age was similar between childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus patients and controls [15 (12-18) vs. 15 (12-18) years, p=0.563]. The median of menarche age was significantly higher in childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus patients compared to controls [12 (10-15) vs. 11.5 (9-15) years, p=0.041], particularly in those that lupus had occurred before first menstruation [13 (12-15) vs. 11.5(9-15) years, p=0.007]. The other puberty marker and sexual function parameters were similar in both groups (p>0.05). Alcohol use was similar in both childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus patients and controls (38% vs. 46%, p=0.628). A trend of lower frequency of CRAFFT score ≥2 (high risk for substance abuse/dependence) was evidenced in childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus patients compared to controls (0% vs. 15%, p=0.053). Bullying was reported similarly for the two groups (43% vs. 44%, p=0.950). Further analysis in lupus patients regarding alcohol/smoking/illicit drug use showed no differences in demographic data, puberty markers, history of bullying, sexual function, contraceptive use, disease activity/damage scores, clinical/laboratorial features and treatments (p>0.05).



This study showed high frequencies of early alcohol use in lupus adolescents and healthy controls, despite of a possible low risk for substance abuse/dependence in childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus patients.
Pediatric Rheumatology Unit, School of Medicine, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil; Medical Faculty, VU University, Amsterdam, Netherlands.
Marlon
M
van Weelden
Adolescent Unit, School of Medicine, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
Lígia B
LB
Queiroz
Pediatric Rheumatology Unit, School of Medicine, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
Daniela M R
DM
Lourenço
Pediatric Rheumatology Unit, School of Medicine, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
Katia
K
Kozu
Adolescent Unit, School of Medicine, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
Benito
B
Lourenço
Pediatric Rheumatology Unit, School of Medicine, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil; Adolescent Unit, School of Medicine, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil. Electronic address: clovisaasilva@gmail.com.
Clovis A
CA
Silva
D000293:Adolescent; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000453:epidemiology*; D058445:Bullying; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D013287:Illicit Drugs; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic; D008297:Male; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012741:Sexual Maturation; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology*; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*
D013287:Illicit Drugs
Alcohol; Bullying; Childhood onset systemic lupus erythematosus; Lúpus eritematoso sistêmico de início na infância; Puberdade; Puberty; Smoking; Tabagismo; Álcool