Neurological Study of Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Abstract

Background: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease of unknown etiology affecting multiple organ systems including the joints, skin, heart, lungs, kidneys and the nervous system. Aim of Work: Is to study the neurological manifestations in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus attending Tanta University Hospitals over 6 months. Patients and Methods: Cross sectional study was carried out on 60 patients with SLE diagnosed according to American College of Rheumatology criteria attending Tanta University Hospitals during six months. Results : Mean age was 46.7± 12.1. Fifty two patients were females and 8 patients were males. This study found that 43 patients showed neurological manifestations, headache was the most common representing 51.7% followed by cognitive impairment 46.7% and cerebrovascular stroke 13%. 6 patients complicated by seizures in whom 3 patients were focal. Focal slowing was the most common EEG abnormalities while white matter hyper intensity lesions were the most common MRI brain abnormalities. Conclusion: Neurological manifestations are frequent in SLE patients. Headache is the most common neurological manifestation followed by cognitive impairment.