Objective. To compare clinical, laboratory and immunological features of Italian SLE patients, selected by different age of disease onset. Methods. Three groups of patients with different age at onset were analysed and compared: group 1 (30 patients, ³ 65 yrs); group 2 (62 patients, 50-64 yrs) and group 3 (163 consecutive patients, < 50 yrs) Results. Female predominance was reduced in groups 1 and 2. Elapsing time between onset and diagnosis was longer in group 1 and 2. Anti-dsDNA and anti-RNP antibodies, RF along with peripheral nervous system involvement were more frequent in the “elderly onset” patients. In older patients SLICC score resulted more elevated. Conclusion. Italian SLE patients, stratified by different age of disease onset, showed little clinical differences apart from a more frequent PNS involvement in the elderly. In older patients SLE seems to be milder but organ damage develops more rapidly due to an higher susceptibility to jatrogenic side effects.
Late onset systemic lupus erythematosus. No substantial differences using different cut-off ages.
PADOVAN, Melissa;GOVONI, Marcello;CASTELLINO, Gabriella;FOTINIDI, Maria;TROTTA, Francesco
2007
Abstract
Objective. To compare clinical, laboratory and immunological features of Italian SLE patients, selected by different age of disease onset. Methods. Three groups of patients with different age at onset were analysed and compared: group 1 (30 patients, ³ 65 yrs); group 2 (62 patients, 50-64 yrs) and group 3 (163 consecutive patients, < 50 yrs) Results. Female predominance was reduced in groups 1 and 2. Elapsing time between onset and diagnosis was longer in group 1 and 2. Anti-dsDNA and anti-RNP antibodies, RF along with peripheral nervous system involvement were more frequent in the “elderly onset” patients. In older patients SLICC score resulted more elevated. Conclusion. Italian SLE patients, stratified by different age of disease onset, showed little clinical differences apart from a more frequent PNS involvement in the elderly. In older patients SLE seems to be milder but organ damage develops more rapidly due to an higher susceptibility to jatrogenic side effects.I documenti in SFERA sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
