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Published on: November 1, 2015
Acute Pericarditis Leading to a Diagnosis of SLE: A Case Series of 3 Patients
Vishal K Narang1, Jonathan Bowen1, Omar Masarweh1
1Kern Medical, Bakersfield, CA, USA.
Insights
Acute pericarditis is a rare presenting symptom of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). This case series highlights three patients diagnosed with SLE due to acute pericarditis, emphasizing the need for early diagnosis and treatment.
Area of Science:
- Rheumatology
- Cardiology
Background:
- Cardiac involvement is common in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), affecting up to 50% of patients.
- Acute pericarditis as the primary presenting symptom of SLE is uncommon, occurring in about 1% of cases.
Observation:
- This case series details three patients with no prior SLE history who presented with acute pericarditis.
- Acute pericarditis was the initial and leading manifestation leading to their SLE diagnosis.
Findings:
- The patients initially received nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and colchicine for pericarditis.
- Steroids and disease-modifying anti-rheumatologic agents were eventually required for SLE management.
Implications:
- Highlights the importance of considering SLE in patients presenting with acute pericarditis, even without a prior history.
- Suggests that prompt diagnosis and appropriate immunosuppressive therapy are crucial for managing SLE presenting with cardiac symptoms.
Abstract:
In systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), cardiac manifestations are known to be present in up to 50% of patients. However, it is rare for acute pericarditis to be the leading symptom at the time of diagnosis of SLE occurring in up to 1% of patients. We present a case series in which 3 patients with no prior history of SLE presented with acute pericarditis. This was found to be the leading manifestation of their disease, which ultimately led to the diagnosis of SLE. These patients were initially treated with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and colchicines; however, steroids and disease-modifying anti-rheumatologic agents were ultimately added to their medical therapy.
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