systemic lupus erythematosus in the elderly

Etiology

• drug-induced lupus

Epidemiology

• female predominance is reduced*

Clinical manifestations

• longer* duration of symptoms from onset to diagnosis
• increased* frequency of:
  • pneumonitis
  • serositis
  • myositis
  • hematologic cytopenias
• more* sicca symptoms
• more* peripheral neuropathy
• no difference in arthralgias/arthritis
• decreased* frequency of:
  • alopecia
  • malar rash
  • photosensitivity
  • oral/nasal ulcers
  • glomerulonephritis
  • lymphadenopathy

Laboratory

• higher* frequency of anti SSA/Ro
• higher* frequency of anti SSB/La
• higher* frequency of antihistone antibodies
• higher* frequency of anti-single strand DNA
• anti-double-stranded DNA not age-dependent

* in comparison to younger patients

Management

see systemic lupus erythematosus

More general terms

• rheumatologic disorders in the elderly
• systemic lupus erythematosus

Additional terms

• drug-induced lupus erythematosus