[A case of lupus erythematosus profundus followed by systemic lupus erythematosus presenting with severe intestinal involvement]

Intestinal perforation with systemic lupus erythematosus: A systematic review

Intestinal perforation (IP) is a rare complication of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and the timely diagnosis and treatment of IP are necessary to prevent death. In this study, the clinical features of IP in SLE were described in an attempt to enhance its understanding to reduce mortality. The clinical data of IP in SLE from 1984 to 2022 were retrospectively collected. A total of 18 patients were enrolled, and data on clinical symptoms, preoperative evaluation, surgical procedures, and postoperative outcomes were collected and retrospectively analyzed. The analysis included 15 females and 3 males, with a mean age of 49.2 years. Fifteen patients (83.3%) had a history of the disease for >5 years, and the SLE disease activity index score of 1 (5.6%) patient was <5 points and that of 17 (94.4%) patients was >10 points. A total of 9 (50%), 5 (27.7%), 3 (16.7%), and 1 (5.6%) patient had lesions in the rectum, colon, ileum, and both ileum and appendix, respectively. The cause of perforation in 12 (66.7%) patients was lupus mesenteric vasculitis and in 3 (16.7%) patients was chronic inflammation. Seven (38.9%) patients had other immune system diseases. All patients were treated with steroids and surgical treatment. However, 5 patients died after surgery. A disease duration of >5 years, SLE disease activity index score of >10, nonstandard use of steroids, and concomitant presence of other immune system diseases are the possible risk factors of IP in SLE. The most common site of perforation was the rectum, which was caused by lupus mesenteric vasculitis. The results suggest that the key to successfully manage such cases is early diagnosis, aggressive resuscitation, antibiotics, steroid therapy, and prompt surgical intervention.

[Rectal Ulcer Developed in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus without Ischemic Colitis]

Rectal involvement by systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is quite rare. Approximately 14 cases have been reported worldwide, but only one with ischemic colitis has been reported in Korea. A 17-year-old female patient was hospitalized with abdominal pain and hematochezia. Sigmoidoscopy revealed only a simple rectal ulcer without ischemic colitis. cytomegalovirus and bacterial infections were excluded. A sigmoidoscopic rectal biopsy indicated a rectal invasion by SLE, but the patient showed an acute worsening conditions that did not respond to treatment. This paper reports a case of rectal ulcer that developed in SLE without ischemic colitis with a review of the relevant literature.

Rectal ulcers induced by systemic lupus erythematosus

A 28-year-old woman presented with diarrhoea, haematochezia, tenesmus and rectal pain for 2 months. She was diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) 8 years ago and remained on prednisone, azathioprine and hydroxychloroquine. Blood work revealed a positive ANA (antinuclear antibody test), anti-dsDNA 749 IU/mL (0-300 IU/mL), C3 0.22 g/L (0.65-1.65 g/L) and C4 0.05 g/L (0.16-0.60 g/L). Stool studies were unremarkable. MRI of the pelvis showed a rectum with eccentric wall thickening. Flexible sigmoidoscopy showed severe proctitis with multiple deep ulcers and diffuse submucosal haemorrhage. Rectal biopsy revealed crypt architectural distortion and reactive fibrosis in the lamina propria. The patient was given mesalamine suppository for 2 weeks with minimal improvement. Repeat flexible sigmoidoscopy showed a coalesced 3×4 cm full-thickness rectal ulcer. Therefore, the patient was given intravenous methylprednisolone for 3 days, followed by intravenous cyclophosphamide for 2 weeks. Her symptoms resolved and repeat flexible sigmoidoscopy showed fibrotic healing of the rectal ulcers.