Abstract:

Objective To study the clinical features of the patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)with Raynaud's phenomenon. Methods The clinical manifestations and laboratory findings of 42 SLE patients with Raynaud's phenomenon were analyzed and compared with those of 116 SLE patients without Raynaud's phenomenon. Results As compared with SLE patients without Raynaud's phenomenon,the SLE patients with Raynaud's phenomenon were more likely to have myalgia/myopathy(9.48% vs 23.81%,P<0.05),alopecia(56.90% vs 83.33%,P<0.01),pulmonary hypertension(1.72% vs 21.43%,P<0.01),cardiac involvement(29.31% vs 59.52%,P<0.01),elevated serum level of gamma-globulin(50.52% vs 73.68%,P<0.05),positive antinuclear antibodies(68.47% vs 87.80%,P><0.05),positive anti-RNP antibodies (24.04% vs 70.00%,P<0.01)and positive anti-Sm antibodies(7.69% vs 35.00%,P<0.05). There were no significant differences in nephritis,neuropsychiatric and hematologic alterations between two groups. Among the 11 SLE patients with pulmonary hypertension,3 patients died and 1 of them died of secondary heart failure,during 26-month follow-up. Conclusions The Raynaud's phenomenon in SLE patients seems susceptible to pulmonary hypertension,cardiac involvement and immunologic abnormalities. The function of heart and lung and pulmonary hypertension should be paid attention to in these cases.

Key words: Ravnaud’s disease, Lupus erythematosus,systemic