Men with systemic lupus erythematosus were more likely to have renal involvement, higher disease activity, accrual of organ damage and higher mortality compared with women with the disease, according to research in a Mexican population.

A cohort of 131 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) presenting between 2011 and 2014 was studied. All patients met at least four of the Systemic Lupus Collaborating Clinics (SLICC) 2014 criteria. Eleven of the patients were men, with a female-to-male ratio of 11:1. The mean age of women was 38.9 years, and the mean age of men was 40.6 years. Average disease duration in women was 7.08 years compared with 6.55 years in men.

Univariate analysis showed men with SLE were more likely to have a lower level of education than women with SLE and more likely to have renal involvement, active disease, cumulative damage to organs and higher mortality rates. Men with SLE were also more likely to present peripheral vascular disease and arterial hypertension and to more commonly receive maximum doses of glucocorticoids, mycophenolate mofetil, cyclophosphamide or rituximab, according to the researcher.

The presence of anti-Ro and lupus anticoagulant antibodies was also more likely to be seen in men with SLE compared with women. – by Shirley Pulawski

Reference:

Hermosillo LD. Paper #AB0588. Presented at: European League Against Rheumatism Annual European Congress of Rheumatology; June 10-13, 2015; Rome.

Disclosure: Hermosillo reports no relevant financial disclosures.

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