Systemic lupus erythematosus in 61 Oriental males. A study of clinical and laboratory manifestations.

The clinical and laboratory features of 61 oriental male lupus patients were compared to those of 86 oriental female patients to determine whether gender differences occur. Arthritis was significantly less common in the males. Neuropsychiatric disorders were less frequent but the difference did not reach statistical significance. Renal disease was the commonest clinical manifestation and diffuse proliferative glomerulonephritis the dominant histological finding on renal biopsy in the males. The prevalences of leucopenia and antibodies to extractable nuclear antigens in particular anti-Ro (SSA) and anti-La(SSB), were lower in men. Arthritis and serositis were less common in our oriental males in contrast to the caucasian patients. These findings provide further evidence of differences between the genders in SLE and suggest racial factors may affect clinical presentation.