Outcome of a national Israeli cohort of pediatric systemic lupus erythematosus

The aim of this study was to describe the clinical manifestations and outcomes of a national cohort of childhood systemic lupus erythematosus (cSLE). All cases of cSLE registered in the Israeli national registry of children with rheumatic diseases between 1987-2003 were examined for disease activity and damage by the SLE disease activity index (SLEDAI) and SLE collaborating clinics/American College of Rheumatology (SLICC/ACR) damage index. Demographic, clinical, laboratory and treatment factors were analysed for their effect on the outcome. One-hundred and two patients were identified, 81% females, with a mean age at diagnosis of 13.3 ± 2.6 years. The mean SLEDAI score was 17.2 ± 9.0 (range 2-60). Fifty four patients were followed for at least five years. The mean SLEDAI decreased to 7.6 ± 6.3 (0-29) and the mean SLICC/ACR damage index was 0.7 ± 1.6 (0-8). Five patients developed chronic renal failure. No patients died. No factors were found to be significantly associated with the outcome except the initial SLEDAI score. The five-year outcome of our national cSLE cohort was good; with relatively low activity and minimal damage in most patients. The initial SLEDAI predicted the development of late damage.