Department of Medicine, San Juan Bautista School of Medicine, Caguas, Puerto Rico, USA
Research Article
Prevalence of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Coexisting Autoimmune Diseases in Puerto Rico in the Context of Hurricane Maria and
the COVID-19 Pandemic
Author(s): Casey K. Gilman* Evián Pérez Rivera, Alexandra Rincones, Melyorise Sepúlveda Chervony, Johanna Lee,
Alan Marquez, Christian Castilla, Michelle Santiago, Ada Cortes
Background: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a multifactorial autoimmune disease that tends to coexist with other autoimmune conditions. The prevalence and etiology of the concurrent autoimmune diseases of SLE patients remains unknown. In Puerto Rico (PR) the prevalence of SLE was last reported in 2007 as a striking 159 per 100,000 individuals. The purpose of this investigation is to provide an updated prevalence of SLE and its autoimmune comorbidities in Puerto Rico in the setting of Hurricane Maria and the COVID-19 pandemic.
Methods: Patient record information from the Puerto Rico Health Insurance Administration (PRHIA) was used to identify individuals with SLE between the years 2018 through 2020. Demographic characteristics such as age and sex were recorded. In addition, medications and comorbidities were evaluated. Prevalence was es.. View More»
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