Outcome of neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus within a defined Swedish population: increased morbidity but low mortality.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the outcome of neuropsychiatric involvement in systemic lupus erythematosus patients (NPSLE) recruited from a defined population.

METHODS

All cases of adult SLE diagnosed during 1981-1995 within the Lund-Orup Health Care District were followed prospectively and neuropsychiatric manifestations were recorded. The SLICC/ACR (Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics/American College of Rheumatology) Damage Index, mortality and working incapacity were recorded as measures of outcome.

RESULTS

NPSLE manifestations developed in 38% (44/117) of the patients. A high rate of organ damage (SLICC/ACR Damage Index) was recorded in the NPSLE patients (P<0.001). Compared with patients without neuropsychiatric involvement, NPSLE patients were treated more intensively, with glucocorticoids (P<0.01) and cytostatic drugs (P<0.01). When compared with the normal population in the same area, the NPSLE patients had a higher rate of working incapacity (relative risk 4.0, 95% confidence interval 2.06-6.96), whereas mortality was not increased (standardized mortality rate 1.4, 95% confidence interval 0.5-3.0).

CONCLUSIONS

SLE patients with neuropsychiatric involvement have an increased rate of organ damage and a high degree of working incapacity, which illustrates the severity of disease in this subgroup.