[Exudative enteropathy in disseminated lupus erythematosus]

We present the case of a young woman with a protein-losing enteropathy occurring in the context of systemic lupus erythematosus. This rare complication has limited gastro-intestinal manifestations and must be systematically looked for when hypoalbuminemia occurs in the absence of a lupus nephritis. High dose corticosteroids therapy (> or = 1 mg/kg/day of prednisone) usually leads to recovery, and should be the first treatment attempted. If this treatment is ineffective, bolus injections of methylprednisolone (1 g/day for three days) may be recommended. Immunosuppressive therapy should be given only if the above treatments are ineffective, or in case of cortico-dependency.