Alcohol, smoking and illicit drug use in pediatric systemic lupus erythematosus patients

Author(s)

Marlon van Weelden ; Lígia B. Queiroz ^[2] ; Daniela M.R. Lourenço ^[3] ; Katia Kozu ^[4] ; Benito Lourenço ^[5] ; Clovis A. Silva

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: REVISTA BRASILEIRA DE REUMATOLOGIA; v. 56, n. 3, p. 228-234, 2016-06-00.

Abstract

Abstract Objective To evaluate alcohol, smoking and/or illicit drug use, and history of bullying in adolescent childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus and healthy controls. Methods 174 adolescents with pediatric rheumatic diseases were selected. All of the 34 childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus patients and 35 healthy controls participated in this study. A cross-sectional study included demographic/anthropometric data and puberty markers assessments; structured questionnaire and CRAFFT screening interview. Results McNemar tests indicated an excellent test–retest reliability of the structured questionnaire (p = 1.0). The median current age was similar between childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus patients and controls [15 (12–18) vs. 15 (12–18) years, p = 0.563]. The median of menarche age was significantly higher in childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus patients compared to controls [12 (10–15) vs. 11.5 (9–15) years, p = 0.041], particularly in those that lupus had occurred before first menstruation [13 (12–15) vs. 11.5(9–15) years, p = 0.007]. The other puberty marker and sexual function parameters were similar in both groups (p > 0.05). Alcohol use was similar in both childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus patients and controls (38% vs. 46%, p = 0.628). A trend of lower frequency of CRAFFT score ≥2 (high risk for substance abuse/dependence) was evidenced in childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus patients compared to controls (0% vs. 15%, p = 0.053). Bullying was reported similarly for the two groups (43% vs. 44%, p = 0.950). Further analysis in lupus patients regarding alcohol/smoking/illicit drug use showed no differences in demographic data, puberty markers, history of bullying, sexual function, contraceptive use, disease activity/damage scores, clinical/laboratorial features and treatments (p > 0.05). Conclusion This study showed high frequencies of early alcohol use in lupus adolescents and healthy controls, despite of a possible low risk for substance abuse/dependence in childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus patients. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 11/12471-2 - Ovarian reserve, antibody anti-corpus luteum and lower genital tract infection in adult women with systemic lupus erythematosus, Behçet's syndrome and Takayasu's arteritis
• Grantee: Clovis Artur Almeida da Silva
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants