Lupus Enteritis: Presentation as an Apparent Surgical Emergency - A Case Report

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease with varied organ involvement. Gastrointestinal (GI) involvement in SLE is common, with oral mucosal lesions being the most frequently seen. Acute abdomen as a surgical emergency in SLE patients can have multiple causes. Lupus enteritis (LE)/Intestinal pseudo-obstruction (IPO) can present as acute abdomen, thereby requiring surgical reference. We hereby present a case of SLE presenting with acute abdomen due to LE/IPO, which prompted the surgeon for surgical intervention. Timely diagnosis and prompt response to steroids lead to resolution of symptoms in our case, and avoided unnecessary surgical exploration and further complications. One should keep a high degree of suspicion while managing SLE patients presenting with acute abdominal pain. Our case underscores the clinical significance of discerning lupus-related GI complications, aligning with existing literature emphasising the need for heightened clinical suspicion in acute abdominal scenarios in SLE. In this case, the patient's acute abdomen prompted surgical consideration, reflecting the challenges in differentiating lupus-related complications from surgical emergencies.