Introduction:

Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) diagnosed after the age of 50 have a less severe disease and a milder clinical course. The objective of this study is to describe the clinical and laboratory characteristics of SLE in elderly patients. Material and Method: Observational, descriptive, cross-sectional, retrospective study of patients with the diagnosis of SLE, with onset after 50 years of age, evaluated at the National Hospital, in the period between December 2016 and May of 2024. Results: 30 patients between 51 and 87 years old (mean age: 62.5 years ± 8.5) were studied, 16 women (53.3%) and 14 men (46.6%). The time to diagnosis was 59.4 ± 8.3 (50-80) days. The duration of the disease was on average 5 years ± 5.1 (1-26). The main clinical manifestations were arthralgia in 26 (86.6%), arthritis in 22 (72.3%), weight loss in 10 (33.3%) and prolonged fever (30%). Nineteen patients (63.3%) had comorbidities, the main one being high blood pressure. Anti-dsDNA was positive in 12 patients (42.8%), anti-Ro in 5/25 patients (20%), anti-Sm in 2/26 (7.9%). The erythrocyte sedimentation rate was ≥ 20 mm in 17/23 (73.9%). All patients were treatment with hydroxychloroquine, 26 (86.6%) patients received corticosteroids, 7 (24.4%) mycophenolate mofetil, 4 (13.3%) cyclophosphamide. Mortality was 6.6%. Conclusion: The main findings were arthralgia and arthritis, with severe cases being less frequent. The majority presented comorbidities, with high blood pressure being the most common. Mortality was 6.6% due to cardiovascular causes.

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