Mortality of Jamaican patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

A retrospective study of all patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) who died at the University Hospital of the West Indies over a 14-year period is presented. The major cause of death was infection followed by renal failure. Gram-negative organisms were the major microbiological agents causing infections. Side-effects of therapy were common, in particular bone marrow depression and haemorrhage related to anticoagulants. It appears that controlling severe lupus activity without increasing the risk of lifethreatening complications remains an important goal in the treatment of SLE.