Neuropsychiatric manifestations systemic lupus erythematosus: a study from South India.

CONTEXT Neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus (NPSLE) has varied manifestations. AIMS To study the pattern of neuropsychiatric (NP) involvement in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). SETTINGS AND DESIGN Hospital based cross sectional and retrospective study. PATIENTS AND METHODS Patients admitted with a diagnosis of SLE, during a period of 16 months, were evaluated and any NP syndrome present classified as per the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) nomenclature. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS SPSS software Version 10 was used for descriptive analysis and correlative study. RESULTS Out of 50 patients with SLE, all the patients with NPSLE [39 (78%)] were females, mean age 25.66 years (range: 11-44). The commonest manifestation was headache [20 (55.6%)]. Seizures were seen in 8 (20.51%) and psychosis in 6 (16.2%). Fine distal tremor was seen in 8 (20.51%) of patients. CONCLUSIONS Headache is a frequent NP syndrome. Fine distal tremor is a syndrome not included in ACR classification but seen is 20% of our patients with NPSLE.