Factors Related to Infection in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus PatientsAdmitted to the Hospital

Abstract

Background: One of the causes of the increase in hospitalized SLE patients
is infection, and it is an important factor in morbidity and mortality, so it is
necessary to conduct a research to identify factors related to infection and
the type of infection caused in hospitalized SLE patients. Methods: This
study is a retrospective, categorical descriptive study utilizing medical
records of SLE patients diagnosed with and treated for infection both on
admission and during their stay in Hasan Sadikin General Hospital between
January 2016 to June 2018. Results: Seventy- four patients were involved
into this study. Female were 70 (94.6%), aged <40 years were 69 (93.2%)
patients, and all 74 (100%) were entirely in an active disease condition with
a mean Mexican systemic lupus erythematosus disease activity (MexSLEDAI)

score of 9 ± 5.2. Fifty-three (71.6%) subjects experienced major
infections. Mucocutaneous and kidney were the most organs involvement
found in SLE patients during infection, 63 (85.1%) and 57 (77.0%)
respectively. Sixty-two (83.7%) subjects had received corticosteroids before
the onset of infection, while pneumonia was the most common infection
found in 33 patients (44.6%). This study also noted 12 (16.2%) patients
deceased related to infection with most causes were respiratory failure
(66.7%). Conclusion: Age less than 40-year-old, mucocutaneous and kidney
involvement and previously on corticosteroids were found higher among in
hospitalized SLE patients. Most experienced major infections and
pneumonia is the most common type of infection.