P162 Incidence of neutropaenia and infections in lupus patients on immunosuppression

• Published in: Rheumatology (Oxford, England) England), 2021-04, Vol.60 (Supplement_1)
• Main Authors: Manou-Stathopoulou, Sotiria, Hann, William, Pakozdi, Angela, Rajakariar, Ravi, Lewis, Myles, Cove-Smith, Andrea, Pyne, Debasish
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 1462-0324; 1462-0332
• DOI: 10.1093/rheumatology/keab247.158

Background/Aims  Neutropaenia occurs in 20-40% of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and is attributed to a combination of autoimmune and complement-mediated destruction of white cells, increased neutrophil apoptosis and medication side-effects. Commonly when patients become neutropaenic (1x10^9/L (8/19) did not experience more infections than those without neutropaenia (21/36) (42% vs 58%, OR 0.5, p = 0.2). Chest, urine and upper respiratory tract were the most commonly reported infections. 29 (29%) patients had sustained neutropaenia, with only 2 (2%) patients experiencing severe neutropaenia - both latter patients experienced recurrent viral infections and were only taking hydroxychloroquine. Conclusion  Immunosuppressive therapy was correlated with an increased prevalence in the absolute number of reported infections, antibiotic prescriptions and hospital admissions. Although there were more cases of infection and neutropenia in patient