Lymphopenia as an Independent Marker of Disease Activity in Children with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Background : Lymphopenia is associated with disease activity in adult patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), but no similar studies exist among children. Furthermore, lymphopenia has only been used as a parameter of disease activity in the SLE disease activity index (SLEDAI), but not as an independent marker. Objectives : This study aimed to ascertain lymphopenia as an independent marker related to disease activity in children with SLE. Methods : This was a retrospective cohort study on patients newly diagnosed with SLE. The data were collected from January 2009 to March 2017, including clinical manifestations, complete blood counts, anti-dsDNA, and Mexican-SLEDAI (MEX-SLEDAI) scores. Statistical analysis was performed using the Chi-square test, Student's t -test, and ROC curve analysis. Results: A total of 103 patients, aged from 12 to 18 years, participated in the study. Of these, 58 patients (56.3%) exhibited lymphopenia. The most commonly observed clinical manifestations in the lymphopenia group included nephritis (72.4%), hypertension (24.1%), and leukopenia (36.2%), with p p 3 is significant for predicting anti-dsDNA reactivity. Conclusions : Lymphopenia is significantly correlated with higher anti-dsDNA levels and increased disease activity, potentially serving as an independent marker of disease activity in children with SLE. However, further research is needed

Disease · Systemic disease · Atherosclerosis and Cardiovascular Diseases · Medicine · Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Research · Systemic Sclerosis and Related Diseases · Immunology · Internal Medicine