Lupus-related vasculitis in a cohort of systemic lupus erythematosus patients

Abstract

Objectives: This study aims to examine the frequency and clinical association of lupus-related vasculitis in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Patients and methods: We retrospectively analyzed medical records of a total of 565 SLE patients (42 males, 523 females; mean age: 32.7±9.5 years; range, 13 to 63 years) between January 2017 and February 2020. Demographic, clinical data, and laboratory data and treatment modalities applied were recorded. Lupus-related vasculitis and its different types were documented, and the patients with vasculitis were compared with those without vasculitis. Results: The mean disease duration was 8.9±6.3 years. Vasculitis associated with lupus was found in 191 (33.45%) patients. Cutaneous vasculitis was found in 59.2%, visceral vasculitis in 34.0%, and both in 6.8% of total vasculitis patients. The patients with vasculitis had a longer disease duration (p=0.01), were more likely to have juvenile onset (p=0.002), livedo reticularis (p