Trends in Hospitalisation in Patients With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Abstract

BACKGROUND Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is a connective tissue disease with high morbidity that results in multiple admissions. This study was undertaken to determine trends in hospitalisation and outcomes in patients with SLE. MATERIALS AND METHODS This was a retrospective study of all patients admitted with SLE between January 2012 and 2015 at a tertiary care hospital in Chennai. Records were analysed and causes for recurrent admission looked at. RESULTS A total of 101 patients were included. Mean age was 33.4 years, mean number of admissions 3.44. Systemic symptoms were common, renal involvement 70.3% and haematological involvement 35.6%. 66 patients got admitted more than once. Infections, need for drug administration (cyclophosphamide) and disease flare were the causes for repeated admissions. CONCLUSIONS SLE results in high utilisation of medical resources, recurrent admissions are the norm and infections and disease flare are common causes for admission.