Comparative analysis of expression of lupus erythematosus in geriatrics versus adults: A retrospective study from tertiary care centre, Rajasthan, India

Objective: Comparative analysis of expression of lupus erythematosus (LE) in geriatrics versus adults. Materials and Methods: We analyzed and compare the patient's records attending our department between June 2017 and June 2019, diagnosed clinically and immunologically as LE between the two groups. Results: Sixty patients, 30 in each group, met ACRA criteria, were enrolled with mean age of presentation for early-onset was 28 ± 9.8 years and late-onset, 59 ± 4.8 years. Most of the patients were females with decrease in sex ratio with age. The most common presentations were malar rash, photosensitivity, and oral ulcers. Joint complaints, lung and cardiac involvement, and nonscarring alopecia were more common in the elderly. Direct Coombs test positive hemolytic anemia, renal involvement in forms of proteinuria and lupus nephritis, and neurological involvement were seen more commonly in adults. In immunological parameters, antinuclear antibody, anti-double standard DNA antibody (AntiDsDNA), and anti-smith antibody testing were done. AntiDsDNA positivity was more in adults correlate with disease severity. We calculate the systemic LE disease activity index 2000 score was higher in the adult population. Conclusion: Our study illustrated that disease activity and damage are more in adults in comparison to geriatrics. However, geriatrics had more organ damage that may be attributable to associated comorbidities. Although the connective tissue diseases in the elderly needs less aggressive management, it requires more attention for possible organ damage due to associated comorbidities.