Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Presenting With Autoimmune Myelofibrosis in a Young Woman: A Case Report

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a multifaceted autoimmune disease characterized by different clinical manifestations and often hinders rapid diagnosis. Myelofibrosis, a rare blood disorder characterized by fibrosis replacement in bone marrow and impaired hematopoiesis, is a rare complication of SLE. Case presentation: This report describes a 34-year-old woman who presented with unexplained bicytopenia, initially thought to be attributed to primary myelofibrosis. Subsequent evaluation revealed additional systemic and laboratory findings suggestive of SLE. Her platelet (PLT) count was 7 × 10³/μL, platelets increased to 30 × 10³/μL after receiving intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) and to 75 × 10³/μL after receiving Rituximab. The interaction between SLE and bone marrow pathology poses a diagnostic problem and highlights the necessity of comprehensive evaluation when young patients present with unexplained cytopenias. This case emphasizes the necessity of evaluating autoimmune causes such as SLE in patients with myelofibrosis and cytopenia to facilitate rapid diagnosis and appropriate care and thereby prevent consequences.