Myelofibrosis in systemic lupus erythematosus

In this study we present a case of coexisting systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and myelofibrosis. Literature review supports the fact that the two diseases rarely occur together in the same patient. The young female patient studied was admitted with pancytopenia and a clinical picture which met the criteria of SLE. Histological examination of the bone marrow biopsy revealed severe myelofibrosis with hypocellularity of the myeloid cell lines. Treatment with immunosuppressive and colony stimulating factor led to slow but complete regeneration of the bone marrow and subsequently to an improved haematological status, and the patient was spared bone marrow transplantation.