OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to systematically summarise the prevalence and incidence of SLE in low and-middle income countries (LMICs).

METHODS: A systematic search of MEDLINE, CINHAL, Web of Science and Global Index Medicus was carried out using keyword search terms for SLE combined with prevalence, incidence and epidemiology. The search was to identify papers addressing SLE in LMICs and published up to September 1, 2020. The prevalence and incidence of SLE were pooled through random effect model. Pooled estimates were expressed with 95% confidence intervals.

RESULTS: Out of 1757 papers, 16 studies were included. The mean age at diagnosis ranged from 25.5 to 45.8 years. The included studies were conducted in Argentina (n = 2), Brazil (n = 3), China (n = 2), Colombia, Greece, India, Malaysia, Pakistan, Venezuela, Zimbabwe and French Guiana. The SLE prevalence and incidence varied from 3.2 to 159 per 100,000 and 1.4 to 8.7 per 100,000 population, respectively. In the random effects meta-analysis (n = 8), the pooled prevalence of SLE was 120 (95% confidence interval [CI]:100 – 200) per 100,000. Meta‐analysis of data from six incidence studies revealed an incidence of 4 cases per year (95% CI: 2 – 6) per 100,000. According WHO regions, the pooled prevalence of American and Western Pacific regions was 300 (95% CI -200 – 900) and 36 (95% CI 35 – 37) per 100,000, respectively. The pooled incidence of the American region was 10 (95% 0 – 14) per 100,000 population.

CONCLUSIONS: Our findings provide a comprehensive and up-to-date summary of the prevalence and incidence of SLE in LMICs. As SLE is an important threat to the population, health professionals and policymakers needs to put in place appropriate programmes to reduce the burden of SLE in LMICs.