Prevalence of systemic lupus erythematosus amongst child-bearing female patients attending University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), a chronic and progressive multisystem autoimmune disorder is chiefly mediated by immune complexes in which the body’s immune system produce antibody (mostly antinuclear antibody) against normal cells and organs leading to inflammatory injuries. Several studies on this disease have been done in different parts of the world but very little exist in Nigeria, particularly in Port Harcourt. The study aim to determine the prevalence of systemic lupus erythematosus in Child-bearing female patients between the age ranges of 15 – 45 years, attending University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Rivers State, Nigeria. Ethical approval was sought for and obtained from the Ethical committee of the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital. A total sample size of 207 was used. 5ml of blood samples were collected with 5ml syringe and needle into non-heparinized bottle from the antecubital fossa of recruited study group between 8am and 11am each day and was taken to the laboratory for analysis. De-fibrination method was used with the aid of centrifuge and microscope for detection of LE cell. Using an SLE latex reagent, the serum was analyzed for the presence of antinuclear antibody after centrifuging for 10mins. The SLE test kit used contained positive and negative controls to which the results were compared. Results gotten were all negative for the test group. This indicates a zero (0) prevalence level of systemic lupus erythematosus amongst child-bearing female patients attending the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital.