Common variable immunodeficiency in systemic lupus erythematosus.

Area of Science:

• Rheumatology
• Immunology
• Clinical Medicine

Background:

• Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease.
• Common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) is a primary immunodeficiency characterized by hypogammaglobulinemia.
• The co-occurrence of SLE and CVID is uncommon.

Observation:

• This review details 18 cases of SLE-associated CVID.
• Patients were predominantly female (89%), with SLE onset at a mean age of 23.8 years.
• CVID developed within 5 years of SLE diagnosis in 50% of cases.

Findings:

• Sinopulmonary infections were the most common symptom.
• Reduced B-cell numbers/percentages were observed in 60% of patients.
• SLE disease activity decreased in 67% of patients post-CVID development.

Implications:

• CVID should be considered in SLE patients presenting with recurrent sinopulmonary infections.
• Gammaglobulin therapy is a primary treatment for SLE-associated CVID.
• This association highlights complex immune dysregulation in autoimmune diseases.