Table 2.

Comparison of characteristics among patients with SLE grouped according to steroid treatment response and normals*

Group	n	Gender (M/F)	Age, years	Years since diagnosis	Relapse	First treatment	Dosage of prednisolone mg/day
SR	17	1/16	34.4 ± 11.9	4 ± 6	10	7	57.6 ± 6.4
SS	18	3/15	39.7 ± 12.6	3 ± 6	12	6	62.1 ± 3.9
Normal	27	4/23	35.8 ± 13.3	-	-	-	-

*Values are the mean ± standard deviation. P > 0.5. Normal subjects and SLE patients are matched in their age and sex.

SLE = systemic lupus erythematosus; SR = steroid-resistant; SS = steroid-sensitive.