SClinical pattern of systemic lupus erythematosus in Western Saudi Arabia

Jeddah, KSA, is a governmental teaching hospital providing health care to a multinational population of mixed socioeconomic status. Sixty-five patients with positive double strand antibodies were collected at the Immunology Laboratory of KAUH over a 2 year period between January 2000 and December 2001. The medical charts of all patients with a final diagnosis of SLE were reviewed. The diagnosis was confirmed by applying the American Rheumatism Association (ARA) the revised criteria for diagnosis of SLE. The diagnosis was made if 4 of the criteria were met, irrespective of the time onset of these criteria. The medical records were analyzed retrospectively for relevant data such as patients’ Objective: The aim of this study is to demonstrate the clinical laboratory, treatment and course of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Methods: A total of 65 patients with positive double strand antibodies were collected at the Immunolog