[Clinical experience in systemic lupus erythematosus (author's transl)]

Thirty-four cases of SLE treated during the past seven years (1974-1981) in Taipei Municipal Jen-Ai Hospital are reported and analyzed. Diagnosis of SLE was based on ARA preliminary criteria and Hahn's preliminary criteria. There were 32 females (94.2%) and 2 males (5.8%). The mean age at diagnosis was 28.5 years (range 14-51). Clinical manifestations were as follows: facial erythema 24 cases (70.6%), Raynaud's phenomenon 4 cases (11.4%), oral or nasopharyngeal ulceration 7 cases (20.6%), arthritis without deformity 22 cases (64.7%), proteinuria 21 cases (61.8%), pleural or pericardial effusions 13 cases (38.2%), psychosis or convulsions 9 cases (26.5%), hematological abnormalities 25 cases (73.5%). Laboratory findings were as follows: positive ANA test 33/34 (97.0%), hypocomplementemia 10/13 (76.9%), direct Coombs' test 4/18 (22.2%), indirect Coombs' test 1/13 (7.6%), LE cell 19/34 (55.9%), RA Latex 7/17 (41.7%), polyclonal gammopathy 15/17 (88.2%), anemia 25/34 (73.5%), leukopenia 12/34 (35.3%), thrombocytopenia 10/34 (29.4%). Three cases were complicated by herpes zoster, one by hyperthyroidism, and one by autoimmune thyroiditis. Ten cases died, including 4 renal failure, 2 heart failure, 2 cases of committed suicide and 1 case of CNS involvement.