Retinal disease in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Rheumatology
• Nephrology

Background:

• Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease with potential multi-organ involvement.
• Ocular manifestations, including retinopathy, can occur in SLE patients, impacting vision and disease prognosis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the incidence of retinopathy in patients with SLE.
• To explore the association between lupus retinopathy and clinical/laboratory findings in SLE patients.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study involving 69 patients diagnosed with SLE.
• Ophthalmological examination of ocular fundi by an expert ophthalmologist.
• Comparison of clinical and laboratory data between patients with and without retinopathy.

Main Results:

• Retinopathy was identified in 10% (7/69) of SLE patients, manifesting as hemorrhages, vasculitis, cotton wool spots, and hard exudates.
• Lupus retinopathy was significantly associated with the presence of anticardiolipin antibodies (p<0.05) and central nervous system lupus (p<0.01).
• Patients with retinopathy exhibited higher serum creatinine levels (p<0.01) and greater disease activity (SLEDAI score, p<0.03) compared to those without retinopathy.

Conclusions:

• The incidence of retinopathy in SLE is consistent with previous findings.
• Lupus retinopathy may signify underlying microangiopathy, particularly linked to vasculitis or anticardiolipin antibodies, or both.
• Retinal findings in SLE warrant attention due to their association with systemic disease activity and complications.