Abstract
Background: Systemic lupus erythematosus [SLE] is one of worldwide autoimmune disorder that has a significant mortality and morbidity. Neurological manifestations are less prevalent in other systemic inflammatory and autoimmune disorders.
Aim: To assess pattern and determinants of neurological manifestations among SLE patients admitted to Aseer Central Hospital [ACH].
Methodology: A record based retrospective study was conducted by reviewing all medical records of SLE patients admitted to Aseer Central Hospital [ACH] during the period from 1994 to 2018 A total sample of 230 patients' files with complete data were reviewed and included in the study. The data were extracted using pre-structured format covering bio demographic and neurological data.
Results: A total sample of 230 SLE patients with ages ranged from 15 years to 71 years old and mean age of 35.5 +/- 11.3 years old. Females constituted 93% of the sampled patients. Neurological manifestations was recorded among 23.5% of the patients. Headache was the most frequently recorded neurological complain [68.5% of patients with neurological symptoms] followed with seizures [22.2%], stroke [15.5%] while mood disturbance was the least recorded manifestation [3.7%]
Conclusions & recommendations: In conclusion, nearly one out of each four SLE patients experienced at least one type of the neurological manifestations specially headache. Neurological complaint were more common among old aged patients with long disease duration. More care for these manifestations should be paid for early diagnosis and management