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Late onset systemic lupus erythematosus: no substantial differences using different cut-off ages

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Abstract

To compare the clinical, laboratory and immunological features of a group of Caucasian systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients in relation to age at disease onset. Three groups of patients with different ages at disease onset were analysed and compared: group A (30 patients, ≥65 years); group B (62 patients, 50–64 years) and group C (163 patients, <50 years). All patients were regularly followed-up for a mean period of 6.5 years. Female predominance was reduced in groups A and B. Time-lapse between disease onset and diagnosis was longer in group A and B. There were no statistically significant differences in clinical features. The only relevant difference was observed in peripheral nervous system (PNS) involvement, more frequent in group A. Anti-dsDNA and RF were more frequent in group A. Complement levels were reduced more frequently in group C. No differences were observed in disease activity scores, while SLICC/ACR score was higher in group A. In Caucasian SLE patients, age at disease onset is not associated with differences in clinical features apart from a more frequent PNS involvement in elderly patients. In the same group, the organ damage seems to develop more rapidly mostly due to higher susceptibility to jatrogenic side effects.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Unit of Rheumatology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Ferrara, Corso Giovecca 203, 44100, Ferrara, Italy

    Melissa Padovan, Marcello Govoni, Gabriella Castellino, Nicoletta Rizzo, Maria Fotinidi & Francesco Trotta

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  1. Melissa Padovan
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  2. Marcello Govoni
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  3. Gabriella Castellino
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  4. Nicoletta Rizzo
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  6. Francesco Trotta
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Correspondence to Melissa Padovan.

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Padovan, M., Govoni, M., Castellino, G. et al. Late onset systemic lupus erythematosus: no substantial differences using different cut-off ages. Rheumatol Int 27, 735–741 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00296-006-0284-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00296-006-0284-3

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