Prognostic significance of platelet count in SLE patients.

Hematological abnormalities, especially thrombocytopenia (TCP), are highly prevalent among patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and at the same time it has been reported as a significant prognostic factor of SLE course. We further investigate the correlation between platelet count and the clinical manifestations and disease activity of SLE, in a cohort of Saudi Arabian female patients. A retrospective analysis was done for the medical records of 100 SLE female patients, selected from all patients diagnosed and treated for SLE at the Rheumatology outpatient clinics in Hera'a General Hospital, Holly Makkah, Saudi Arabia.