Presentation of SLE in UK primary care using the Clinical Practice Research Datalink

Alison Nightingale, Julie Davidson, Charles Molta, Hong Kan, Neil McHugh

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Abstract

ABSTRACT Objectives To describe the presenting symptoms of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in primary care using the Clinical Practice Research Database (CPRD) and to calculate the time from symptom presentation to SLE diagnosis. Methods Incident cases of SLE were identified from the CPRD between 2000 and 2012. Presenting symptoms were identified from the medical records of cases in the five years before diagnosis and grouped using the British Isles Lupus Activity Group (BILAG) symptom domains. The time from the accumulation of one, two and three BILAG domains to SLE diagnosis was investigated, stratified by age at diagnosis (<30 years, 30-49 years and ≥50 years). Results We identified 1426 incident cases (170 males and 1256 females) of SLE. The most frequently recorded symptoms and signs prior to diagnosis were musculoskeletal, mucocutaneous and neurological. The median time from first musculoskeletal symptom to SLE diagnosis was 26.4 months (IQR 9.3, 43.6). There was a significant difference in the time to diagnosis (Log Rank p< 0.01) when stratified by age and disease severity at baseline, with younger patients <30 years and those with severe disease having the shortest times and patients aged ≥50 and those with mild disease having the longest (6.4 years (IQR 5.8, 6.8)). Conclusions The time from symptom onset to SLE diagnosis is long, especially in older patients. SLE should be considered in patients presenting with flaring or chronic musculoskeletal, mucocutaneous and neurological symptoms.
Original languageEnglish
Article numbere000172
JournalLupus Science & Medicine
Early online date10 Feb 2017
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 10 Feb 2017

Keywords

  • Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
  • Clinical Practice Research Datalink
  • Epidemiology
  • Primary Care
  • Disease Presentation

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