Posture in systemic lupus erythematosus

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a connective autoimmune disease that may involve many organ systems and neural function impairment. Postural apparatus dysfunction in SLE may develop in the case of central and peripheral neural involvement. We studied the presence of postural abnormalities in SLE patients with different degrees of disease activity. Twenty-eight subjects (18 SLE patients and 10 normal controls) underwent postural evaluation by means of Static Computerised Posturography. Disease severity or specific clinical problems did not form selection criteria. Lupus activity was assessed using the Systemic Lupus Activity Measure (SLAM). A statistically significant (p < 0.05) increase in the parameters of trace length, trace surface, trace velocity, standard deviation in velocity, and Fast Fourier trX and Y (FET), were found in both the closed and opened eyes tests, when lupus patients were compared to controls subjects. No significant pattern variation in posture was observed between more active and less active SLE patients. Postural control alterations in SLE may be considered a complication of the chronic autoimmune inflammatory process, independent of disease activity as evaluated by the SLAM index. The site of the neuropathy remains uncertain, although we believe it to be peripheral rather than central in origin due to the absence of symptoms or clinical signs of CNS involvement or vascular degeneration.