Two concomitant thrombotic microangiopathies in the background of systemic lupus erythematosus: A case report

Abdullah AlGhobaishi1,2, Ahmed Hafez Mousa1,3,2,4, Reham Salama Alshaltoni3,2

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, King Fahad Armed Forces Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Insights

This case study highlights a severe lupus nephritis case in a young female. Flexible treatment strategies, including plasma exchange, were crucial for managing relapses and preventing renal failure.

Area of Science:

  • Nephrology
  • Rheumatology
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Lupus nephritis poses a significant risk of renal damage and failure.
  • Cardiac involvement, such as pericarditis, can co-occur.
  • This study focuses on a challenging case with fluctuating disease activity.

Observation:

  • A 13-year-old female presented with fever, joint pain, menorrhagia, and neurological symptoms.
  • Diagnostic tests confirmed lupus nephritis.
  • The patient experienced severe relapses and improvements, requiring multidisciplinary team (MDT) intervention.

Findings:

  • A combination of treatment modalities and adaptive decision-making is vital for successful lupus nephritis management.
  • Plasma exchange significantly reduced fragmented red blood cells (RBCs) from 9.8% to 1.8%.

Implications:

  • Aggressive and flexible treatment approaches are necessary for severe lupus nephritis.
  • Early and multidisciplinary intervention can improve patient outcomes.
  • Plasma exchange may be an effective adjunctive therapy in managing severe lupus nephritis.
Abstract

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