[Sensorimotor and autonomic neuropathy associated with systemic lupus erythematosus]

In this article, one described 7 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and the pathological findings of their sural nerves. In 4 of the 7 cases the criteria for diagnosis of SLE were satisfied and in 3 cases there was serological evidence of an undifferentiated connective tissue disease, most likely to be SLE. The peripheral neuropathy was of a chronic sensorimotor type with predominantly sensory features and gradual onset. In 2 cases the presentation was asymmetrical. One patient had autonomic dysfunction. There was ischemic neuropathy in 2 cases, segmental demyelination in 2 cases, and axonal degeneration with demyelination in 3 cases. In 6 cases there was increased expression of Ia antigen within the nerve fascicle, perineurium and endothelial cells.