[Hypoparathyroidism associated with systemic lupus erythematosus: a case]

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology
• Rheumatology
• Autoimmune Diseases

Background:

• Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease.
• Hypoparathyroidism is a rare endocrine disorder characterized by insufficient parathyroid hormone production.
• The co-occurrence of SLE and hypoparathyroidism is exceptionally uncommon in clinical practice.

Observation:

• A 39-year-old female with a 3-year history of SLE presented with neurological and psychological symptoms including paresthesia, depression, and insomnia.
• Laboratory investigations revealed hypoparathyroidism without active lupus disease.
• Treatment with calcium and vitamin D effectively managed the hypocalcemia and corrected QT prolongation.

Findings:

• This case represents a rare instance of concurrent hypoparathyroidism in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus.
• The absence of active lupus disease at presentation suggests hypoparathyroidism as a distinct comorbidity.
• Successful management of hypocalcemia and associated symptoms was achieved with standard treatment.

Implications:

• The rare association suggests a potential shared underlying pathophysiology between SLE and hypoparathyroidism.
• Possible links include shared genetic predispositions or a generalized autoimmune process.
• Further research is warranted to explore the connection between these conditions and their implications for patient management.