Prevalence and Clinical Profile of Anaemia in SLE

Background: SLE is the prototype of the autoimmune disease affecting predominantly women. Ninety percent of patients are women in the child bearing age. A number of studies have shown that haematological manifestations are common in SLE, of which anaemia is the most common. The cause of anaemia in SLE are multifactorial. The objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence and clinical profile of anaemia in SLE. Materials and Methods: Our study was a descriptive type of hospital based cross sectional study.96 patients with SLE satisfying the inclusion criteria were included in the study. They were subjected to a detailed clinical examination and complete blood hemogram. Results: Out of 96 patients taken up for the study, 47 patients (49%) had anaemia. Anaemia of chronic disease was the commonest type seen in 28.1% followed by iron deficiency in 10.4%. Conclusion: Haematological manifestations are very common in SLE. Anaemia was present in 49% of patients. Anaemia of chronic disease was the predominant type followed by iron deficiency anaemia.