Systemic lupus erythematosus: An imitator for inflammatory bowel disease

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Gastroenterology
• Rheumatology

Background:

• Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a complex autoimmune condition affecting multiple organs.
• Gastrointestinal involvement in SLE is diverse, but bowel inflammation as an initial symptom is rare.
• Unusual presentations can lead to diagnostic delays, impacting patient outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight an uncommon presentation of SLE in an adolescent male.
• To emphasize the diagnostic challenges when SLE mimics inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
• To underscore the importance of considering SLE in patients with unexplained gastrointestinal symptoms and serositis.

Main Methods:

• Case report of an adolescent male with unexplained gastrointestinal symptoms.
• Diagnostic workup included endoscopy, computed tomography (CT) scan, and autoimmune serologies.
• Clinical findings and laboratory results were correlated to establish the diagnosis.

Main Results:

• The patient presented with weight loss, fever, abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhea.
• Endoscopic evaluation did not support an IBD diagnosis.
• CT revealed serositis, and autoimmune markers confirmed SLE.

Conclusions:

• Gastrointestinal manifestations of SLE can mimic IBD, complicating diagnosis.
• Serositis on imaging is a key finding that warrants further autoimmune investigation.
• This case underscores the multisystemic nature of SLE and the need for a broad differential diagnosis.