Divergence between initial and cumulative manifestations in systemic lupus erythematosus: effect of age and sex in a prospective lupus cohort from Pakistan.

BACKGROUND

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a multi-system autoimmune disease that evolves over time. Understanding differences between initial and cumulative disease manifestations, as well as variations by age and sex, is critical for early recognition and management.

METHODS

This prospective cohort study enrolled 185 patients fulfilling ACR/EULAR SLE classification criteria, of whom 138 (74.6%) had complete datasets for analysis. Demographic, clinical, and laboratory data were collected at baseline and follow-up, with manifestations compared between pediatric-onset (<16 years) and adult-onset (≥17 years), as well as between sexes. Statistical analyses included McNemar's test for paired baseline-to-cumulative comparisons, chi-square and Fisher's exact tests for between-group comparisons, t-tests, and logistic regression, with significance set at P < 0.05.

RESULTS

The cohort was predominantly female, 132 (95%), and adult, 87 (83.7%). At onset, arthritis, 121 (87.7%), fever, 102 (73.9%), and mucocutaneous features like hair loss, 81 (58.7%), photosensitivity, 71 (51.4%), and oral ulcers, 70 (50.7%), were most frequent, while nephritis, 10 (7.2%), and neuropsychiatric SLE, 4 (≤4.3%), were rare. Over time, significant cumulative increases were observed in mucocutaneous involvement, 84 (63.2%) to 98 (71.0%), P < 0.001; sicca features, 38 (28.6%) to 75 (54.3%), P < 0.001; hematologic manifestations, 16 (12.1%) to 45 (32.6%), P = 0.004; and vasculitis, 4 (3.0%) to 16 (11.6%), P < 0.001. Nephritis rose from 7 (5.3%) to 38 (27.5%), P < 0.001. Pediatric patients more often presented with mucocutaneous features, 16 (93.3%) vs. 57 (65.5%), P = 0.034, while males had higher nephritis rates at onset, 2 (28.6%) vs. 5 (4.1%), P = 0.005. Cumulative disease burden was otherwise similar across groups.

CONCLUSION

Arthritis and mucocutaneous features dominate early SLE, whereas sicca, vasculitis, and hematologic manifestations accumulate with disease progression. Pediatric and male patients may experience distinct risks, underscoring the importance of age- and sex-aware monitoring in long-term SLE care.