Entheseal Involvement in Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Abstract

Entheseal involvement appears to be largely ignored in SLE without any mention in most textbooks or in reviews. The aim of the present study is to investigate the prevalence and distribution of entheseal involvement in SLE patients and correlating it with parameters of disease activity. Patients and methods: Fifty SLE patients with foot pain were included. They were subjected to full history taking, thorough general and musculoskeletal examination and assessment of disease activity using Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI). Radiologically, they were classified according to Glasgow Ultrasound Enthesitis Scoring System (GUESS). Results: Patients with clinical enthesitis are significantly older, had higher SELADI score, and higher ESR. Patients with radiologically evident enthesitis had significantly longer disease duration, and higher SELADI score. SELADI score and GUSSE score were significant predictors of clinical enthesitis. Conclusions: Enthesitis is prevalent in SLE patients. It is related to increased disease severity.