Systemic lupus erythematosus disease severity in men and women: a case-control study.

Abstract

To assess the severity of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in men compared to women. A validated Lupus Severity of Disease Index (SDI) was used to assess disease severity in a retrospective multicenter case-control study. Each man (n = 18) was matched with 1-3 women (n = 36) for age, disease duration, and clinical setting. Clinical and serologic features were assessed and compared. There was no significant sex difference in disease severity (SDI 4.8 men vs 3.9 women). Comparison of other clinical or serologic manifestations showed that cerebritis, thromboembolic phenomena, and antiphospholipid antibodies were more common in men. There is no difference in lupus disease severity between men and women. However, there are sex-specific differences in expression of some disease manifestations.