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Updated: Aug 4, 2026
12:04
The bm12 Inducible Model of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) in C57BL/6 Mice
Published on: November 1, 2015
Factitious disorders mimicking systemic lupus erythematosus
J A Tlacuilo-Parra1, E Guevara-Gutierrez, I Garcia-De La Torre
1Department of Immunology and Rheumatology, Hospital General de Occidente de la Secretaria de Salud, Jalisco, México.
Clinical and Experimental Rheumatology
|March 23, 2000
Summary
Factitious disorders, like Münchausen syndrome, involve patients feigning illness. This review found rare cases where patients simulated Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), highlighting the complexity of such simulations.
Area of Science:
- Medical Psychology
- Rheumatology
Background:
- Factitious disorders present significant diagnostic challenges for physicians.
- Münchausen syndrome, characterized by intentional feigning of illness, has a long history of recognition.
- While rare, rheumatologic manifestations can occur in Münchausen syndrome.
Observation:
- This review identified only 8 documented cases of Münchausen syndrome patients simulating Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) over 29 years.
- Some patients met multiple classification criteria for SLE, demonstrating sophisticated simulation capabilities.
- The mechanisms by which patients simulate complex autoimmune diseases like SLE are explored.
Findings:
- Patients with Münchausen syndrome can convincingly simulate Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE).
- The simulation of SLE in these cases involved complex presentations, sometimes meeting several diagnostic criteria.
- The study underscores the potential for elaborate deception in factitious disorders.
Implications:
- Physicians must maintain a high index of suspicion for factitious disorders, even with complex presentations.
- Understanding the simulation mechanisms is crucial for accurate diagnosis and management of patients with suspected factitious disorders.
- Further research is needed to explore the psychological drivers and diagnostic challenges associated with simulating systemic autoimmune diseases.
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