The association of main blood groups and development of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and its organ involvements

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is one of the most common systemic inflammatory diseases and can damage various organs.This study aimed to compare the frequency of major blood groups and their relationships with SLE organ involvement in lupuspatients and a control group. In this case-control study, 326 patients with SLE who attended rheumatology clinics of Kermanshahand 335 healthy individuals were included (age: cases = 36.77±11.43, controls = 36.2±12.72, p value = 0.053; female sex:cases=332 (98.8%), controls = 335 (100%), p value = 0.059). Blood groups (BGs) of the patients and the controls were provided.Organ involvement was assessed using patients’ records, periodic follow-up tests, and clinical examinations.In general, without considering RH, there was no significant difference in the distribution of O, A, B, and AB blood groups betweenthe SLE patients and the controls. There was no relation among different organ involvements in SLE patients and BGs except formucosal skin lesions which were significantly higher in the AB blood group (p value < 0.05). In RH positive individuals, therewas a significant difference in the frequency of the AB blood group between SLE patients and the controls (23 (7.4%) vs. 36(11.7%), p value = 0.034). In RH negative individuals, there was a significant difference in the frequency of the A blood groupbetween SLE patients and the controls (2 (13.3%) vs. 10 (37%), p value = 0.037).There is no difference in the frequency of different BGs between SLE patients and healthy people. Moreover, no significant relationbetween different organ involvement in Lupus patients and BG was found, except for mucosal ulcers. Therefore, ’blood groupcannot be used as a predictor of disease status.