The incidence and clinical characteristics of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection among systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis patients in Korea.

Abstract

Taken together, the characteristics of tuberculosis in SLE patients were: (1) a higher incidence rate, (2) more frequent extra-pulmonary involvement, (3) more extensive pulmonary involvement, and (4) a higher relapse rate than in rheumatoid arthritis. Thus, the contributory role of M. tuberculosis infection in the morbidity and mortality of patients with SLE must be emphasized, especially in areas in which this bacteria is endemic.