CD40LG and systemic lupus erythematosus: Among the disease-related features at baseline, higher age at SLE onset (p < 0.001), a lower WBC count (p = 0.004), a higher ANA titer (p < 0.001), an elevated anti-ds-DNA antibody titer (p < 0.001), higher IgG and IgM levels (p < 0.001), lower CH50 (p = 0.016) and C3 (p = 0.001) levels, a lower prevalence of ISN/RPS class III or IV (p = 0.048), and a lower index of chronicity (0–12) (p < 0.001) were significantly related to early-onset LN.