[Mortality and prognostic factors in 146 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus in southern Tunisia].

Objectives: The objective of this study was to analyze the survival rate, causes of death, and prognostic factors in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), mainly from southern Tunisia.

Methods: This retrospective study examined the records of 146 Tunisian patients with SLE, all meeting at least 4 of the American College of Rheumatology criteria for this diagnosis.

Results: The mean age at presentation of these patients (126 women and 20 men) was 29.