Lupus & antiphospholipid syndrome
A review of the development of gangrene in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus – A 44-year follow-up study
Authors' conclusion
Although rare, gangrene is a sinister, potentially late developing complication of SLE, it rarely recurs. It is associated with anti-phospholipid antibodies, active disease, and other possible triggers such as infection and cancer.
Study context
- Population
- Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) attending a UK tertiary referral centre, followed up over 44 years
- Participants
- 850 patients
- Outcome
- Gangrene
Methodological detailssingle-centre, 44-year follow-up, All treated with intravenous (IV) iloprost infusions; aPL-positive patients anticoagulated, most long term
- Single-centre
- 44-year follow-up
- All treated with IV iloprost infusions; aPL-positive patients anticoagulated, most long term
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
- Patients who developed gangrene
- 10 (1.2%)
- Mean age of onset (range 12-26 years)
- 17 years
- Single episode of gangrene
- 8 of 10
- Mean duration of SLE at onset of gangrene (SD 11.5 years)
- 18.5 years
- First episode of gangrene ranged from presentation to years after SLE onset
- 32 years
- Active SLE at the time gangrene developed
- All
- Did not respond to initial treatment, needed further immunosuppression
- 2
- Digit loss
- All
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Original publication
A review of the development of gangrene in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus – A 44-year follow-up study. Lupus. Published 26 May 2023. doi:10.
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