Introduction Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is more frequent in men than women with sex ratio F/M=8/1, but whether it’s more severe or not, is not clear

Objectives We aimed to study clinical, biological and immunological features of SLE in men.

Methods It’s a retrospective study conducted in an internal medicine department. Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (ACR revised criteria) were included. Data were recorded and compared using SPSS. Variables with a p inferior or equal to 0.05 were considered to be statistically significant.

Results A total of consecutive 89 SLE patients were included: 80 female (89.9%) and 9 male (10.1%) (sex ratio F/M was 8.9). Mean ages at SLE diagnosis were comparable for men and women respectively 36.9±15.8 and. 35±12.8 years. History of familiar SLE was more frequent in males than females (22.2% vs 3.8%; p=0.078 (Fisher test)). Photosensitivity, cutaneous and renal involvement were significantly more frequent in females (70% vs 33.3%; p=0.027% and 26.3% vs 15.6%; p=0.078 respectively). Whereas hemolytic auto immune anaemia and respiratory complications were more frequent in males (22.2% vs 1.3%; p=0.027% and 55.6% vs 25% p=0.066 respectively). There were no differences in articular, cardiac or neurological manifestations. Biological and immunological findings were similar too.

Conclusion It seems that males are more prone to develop SLE when they have familiar history of this disease. They develop more frequently pulmonary manifestations and hemolytic auto immune anaemia. These results should be confirmed by other prospective studies.