Abstract

Aim: To determine if there is any association between lymphopenia and clinical features, disease
activity and damage in systemic lupus Erythematosus (SLE).
Methods: The study group consists of 50 Iraqi patients with SLE mostly from Babylon Governorate
who were diagnosed depending on the American College of Rheumatology revised criteria (ACR) for
SLE; they were attending Marjan Teaching Hospital during the period from 1
st
Jan. 2007 to 1
Jul.
2008.
The clinical manifestations were obtained by detailed medical history and physical examination.
The disease activity was assessed with the systemic lupus erythematosus disease activity index
(SLEDAI) and the Physician s Global Assessment (PGA).
The disease damage was determined with the Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics
Damage Index (SLICC-DI).
Lymphocytes count was expressed in two categories: normal (more than 1500/cmm) and
lymphopenia (less than 1500/cmm); the count of less than 500/cmm was considered as marked
lymphopenia.
The relationship of lymphopenia with clinical, pharmacologic treatment variables, SLEDAI, PGA
and SLICC-DI scores was examined.
Results: Lymphopenia was found to be positively associated with skin manifestations, renal
involvement, serositis and the use of steroids.
Marked lymphopenia was associated with even higher SLEDAI, PGA and SLICC-DI scores.
Conclusion: Lymphopenia was associated with some clinical manifestations of SLE and with more
disease activity and damage. Marked lymphopenia was associated with even higher disease activity
and damage .
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