Protein-losing enteropathy as initial manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus

作者：Carneiro F O A A; Sampaio L R; Brandao L A R; Braga L L B C; Rocha F A C^*

来源：Lupus, 2012, 21(4): 445-448.

DOI：10.1177/0961203311425523

• nephritis
• renal lupus
• systemic lupus erythematosus

Protein-losing enteropathy is a rare manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus. We report the case of an 18-year-old woman that presented initially with diarrhoea and anasarca. During evaluation, there was low serum albumin of 1.6 g/dl (3.5-5.2 g/dl) and a positive antinuclear antibody test (1:2560). Anti-Sm antibodies (ELISA) were positive in addition to low serum C3 of 35 mg/dl. A scintigraphy using 99mTc-labelled albumin was positive for abdominal protein loss. A diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus related protein-losing enteropathy was made. She was started on prednisolone 40 mg/day without amelioration; a month later, azathioprine (100 mg/day) was added, leading to normalization of serum albumin and resolution of symptoms within 4 months. After 1.5 years, the patient developed a 2.9 g 24-h proteinuria while still in remission of the protein-losing enteropathy, receiving 5 mg prednisone and 100 mg azathioprine daily. Lupus (2012) 21, 445-448.

• 出版日期2012-4