Systemic Lupus Erythematosus:Immunologic Profile According to Clinical Manifestations in 30 Patients in the University Hospital of Cotonou, Benin

Objective: It aims to describing the profile of antinuclearautoantibodies and their association with the clinical manifestations ofSystemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE). Methods: A 15-year and 7-month retrospective, analytical, andmulticenter study included patients fulfilling at least four of AmericanCollege of Rheumatology criteria of SLE seen in Dermatology, InternalMedicine and Rheumatology Departments of two different hospitalsin Cotonou. Results:Thirty patients were recorded. The sex ratio M:F was 0.15 and the mean age was 33.1 years +/- 14.2 years. Cutaneous (26/30) and musculoskeletal (23/30) lesions were predominant. Antinuclear antibodies were present in all patients. They were specific for anti- DNA (22/30) anti-nucleosome (19/30), anti-Sm (18/30), anti-RNP (17/30) and anti-SSA (16/30). Anti-DNA antibodies were associated with musculoskeletal manifestations (p = 0.02); Anti-nucleosomes with malar rash (p = 0.01) and discoid lupus lesions (p = 0.02); Anti-Sm and anti-RNP to kidney disorders (p ≤ 0.02), anti-SSA to malar rash (p = 0.05) and haematologic signs (p = 0.03). Conclusion: Some immuno-clinical correlations of SLE on dark skin have been confirmed and others have been highlighted. This reflects the intricacy of environmental and genetic factors that underlie interracial and intra-racial differences.