RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Systemic lupus erythematosus in the pediatric North American Native population of British Columbia.
JF The Journal of Rheumatology
JO J Rheumatol
FD The Journal of Rheumatology
SP 161
OP 163
VO 33
IS 1
A1 Kristin M Houghton
A1 Jacqueline Page
A1 David A Cabral
A1 Ross E Petty
A1 Lori B Tucker
YR 2006
UL http://www.jrheum.org/content/33/1/161.abstract
AB OBJECTIVE: To compare the estimated prevalence and the phenotype of pediatric systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in a North American Native population with other ethnic groups. METHODS: We performed a retrospective chart review of all patients with SLE currently followed at the single tertiary care pediatric rheumatology clinic in our province. Data collected included demographic characteristics, family history, classification criteria for SLE, laboratory tests at diagnosis, SLE Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI) at presentation, and Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics (SLICC) damage index at 6 months. RESULTS: The prevalence of SLE in our pediatric Native population is 8.8 per 100,000 (n = 6) compared to 3.3 per 100,000 in the non-NAI population (n = 34) (p = 0.037, Fisher's exact test; OR 2.6, 95% CI 1.1-6.3). Family history of rheumatic disease is more common in our Native children (5/6, 83%) compared to non-Native children (5/34, 15%) (p = 0.002 Fisher's exact test; OR 29, 95% CI 2.8-303.3). The sample size is too small for reliable interpretation of disease phenotype, autoantibodies, disease activity, and disease damage measures. CONCLUSION: There is an increased prevalence of SLE and familial autoimmunity among Native children in our population. Public health measures to screen children at risk may detect early disease and may reduce disease morbidity.