Journal of North Khorasan

Abstract Background & Objectives: systemic lupus erythematous is a chronic disease that involves most body organs. Corticosteroids and other immunosuppressant drugs are used in treatment with wide range of adverse effect especially infections. In this study we aimed to assess the incidence and prevalence of infections and type of infections in these groups of patients. Material & Methods: 98 patients enrolled in this cross-sectional descriptive study in 2007 that admitted in Imam Reza hospital, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Iran. They were selected randomly and supervised annually. They underwent clinical and Para clinical exams and stage of the disease were identified. Drugs information and their dose were recorded. Results: 81 patients were female (86.2%) and 13 patients were male. Mean age was 28.12 ± 9.4. 32 patients had infections during surveillance. Conclusion: The incidence of infections, its patterns and type of pathogens were the same as other areas worldwide. Increasing in immunosuppressant dosage would lead to higher rate on infections.