Monitoring the activity of systemic lupus erythematosus in pregnancy
Alekberova, Z.S.; Kosheleva, N.M.; Belitskaia, S.G.; Marichik, N.V.
Terapevticheskii Arkhiv 66(10): 46-51
1994
ISSN/ISBN: 0040-3660 PMID: 7863447 Document Number: 435051
To evaluate the effect of pregnancy on systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) activity, the authors studied 35 patients with definite SLE (ARA criteria, 1982). SLE activity was estimated every trimester of pregnancy and 3-14 months after the delivery. The disease activity was judged by scores (SLEDAI, version I and II) and by an increase in prednisolone dose more than 5 mg/day. The activity score elevated in 31% (SLEDAI I) or in 17% (SLEDAI II) during pregnancy was similar to frequency of flares after the child's birth (34% or 23%, respectively). In 22 (63%) of 35 patients the steroid dosage was increased during pregnancy versus 3 (8.5%) patients postpartum. The most frequent SLE complications observed in pregnancy were renal, CNS and mucocutaneous disorders. The frequency of SLE exacerbations and outcomes of pregnancy were related to the disease activity in conception.