The estimated prevalence of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in the United States is 72.8/100,000, according to a study published in Arthritis & Rheumatology. Researchers conducted a meta-analysis estimating the US SLE prevalence using data from the CDC’s National Lupus Registry network. Overall, 5,417 cases fulfilled the 1997 American College of Rheumatology SLE classification criteria. The pooled prevalence was 72.8/100,000 for four state-specific registries and was nine times higher for women than men (128.7 vs 14.6). Prevalence was highest among Black women, followed by Hispanic, White, and Asian/Pacific Islander women (230.9, 120.7, 84.7, and 84.4, respectively). Among men, prevalence was highest among Blacks, followed by Hispanics, Asian/Pacific Islanders, and Whites (26.7, 18.0, 11.2, and 8.9, respectively). The highest racespecific SLE estimates for women and men were seen for American Indian/Alaska Natives (270.6 and 53.8/100,000, respectively). In the US, 204,295 persons fulfilled ACR SLE criteria in 2018.
