Intestinal pseudo-obstruction as the initial manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus

Small bowel obstruction is common in emergency departments. However, the exact cause of intestinal pseudo-obstruction (IPO) is often misdiagnosed. IPO is considered a severe manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). However, IPO is rare as the initial manifestation of SLE. This paper reports a female patient who presented with IPO as the initial manifestation and was ultimately diagnosed with SLE. The 31-year-old female was definitively diagnosed with SLE after IPO symptoms for 1 month. She then presented multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) leading to a poor prognosis. Patients with unexplained SBO symptoms should be aware of systemic diseases. Early diagnosis and prompt medical treatment are crucial to avoid unnecessary surgery and obtain satisfactory outcomes.