Challenging Case of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus in a Young Woman

Abstract

This abstract is devoted to the description of a rather complicated clinical case of a 28-year-old woman with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The patient came to our attention with become-fatigue, arthralgia, and intermittent low-grade fever without much improvement for several months. Blood tests appeard to be abnormal and showed antinuclear antibodies (ANA), anti-double-stranded DNA (anti-dsDNA) antibodies and low complement level indicative of SLE. However, hallmarks in diagnostic utility was interfered by the presence of overlapping clinical features with other autoimmune and inflammatory diseases; this led to delayed detection of definitive diagnosis.
Additional clinical assessment including renal biopsy revealed lupus nephritis and fueled clinical management challenges. Management is a combination of rheumatoid, nephrological and immunological care with the major treatment strategy being immunosuppression to manage disease activity and avoid organ dysfunction. In the beginning, diagnosis and management of the disease was a little problematic but the patient eventually had favorable response to corticosteroids and cyclophosphamide;his renal function improved and all his systemic symptoms regressed.
This case re-emphasises the need for repeated clinical examination, initial and follow up laboratory evaluation and histological confirmation, in making therapeutic management of patients with autoimmune disorders such as SLE. Hypothesis: Because L(n) [lupus nephritis] and SLE [systemic lupus erythematosus] have many potential late effects if not diagnosed early and treated appropriately, multifaceted approach is necessary.