MORTALITY IN SLE – A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY

Abstract

Aims And Objectives:This retrospective study was conducted in SKIMS Soura Srinagar to study co morbidities associated with SLE as well as to analyse pattern of mortality of SLE patients. Methods:We analyzed the data of one decade from Jan 2004 to Dec 2014 for total deaths which occurred in SKIMS soura Srinagar during this period. Files of 133 patients on whom Rheumatic disease was mentioned were separately fully analyzed for patient's age, sex, type of rheumatic disease, any other underlying disease and terminal events which lead to death of patient. Particular attention was paid to data of SLE patients. Observations:There were 41 SLE patients with a male female ratio of 1: 12.6. Mean age at death was 32.46±13.739 years (range 15 – 68). Most of the patients 34 (82.9%) were in the age group of 20-59 years. The main associated co morbidities were HTN in 23 (56.1%), CRF in 20 (48.8%) patients. The common causes of death were sepsis in 12 (29.3%), ARF in 11 (26.8%) , heart failure in 9 (22.0%). Conclusion:We found that Rheumatic disease patients particularly SLE have premature mortality compared to the non Rheumatic patients and sepsis being the leading cause of death in SLE patients. Mortally of SLE is bimodal with an early mortality due to disease ares and a late mortality due to disease plus other associated co-morbidities like DM, HTN, Malignancy and cardiovascular conditions.