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Systemic lupus erythematosus and abdominal pain
British Journal of Rheumatology
|August 1, 1983
Summary
Systemic lupus erythematosus can cause severe abdominal pain due to mesenteric arteritis or infarction. Diagnosis often requires surgery, revealing intestinal damage in lupus patients with unexplained abdominal pain.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Rheumatology
- Vascular Medicine
Background:
- Abdominal pain is a frequent manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).
- Diagnosing the cause of abdominal pain in SLE patients can be challenging.
- Gastrointestinal complications in SLE require prompt recognition.
Observation:
- Two cases of recurrent, severe abdominal pain in SLE patients are presented.
- Pain episodes were severe enough to warrant hospital admission.
- Diagnosis was only confirmed during exploratory laparotomy.
Findings:
- One patient exhibited active arteritis of the mesenteric arteries, leading to jejunal and ileal infarction.
- The second patient presented with ileal infarction, hemorrhage, and red blood cell conglutination, without evidence of arteritis.
- These findings highlight diverse vascular pathologies in SLE-related abdominal complications.
Implications:
- Severe abdominal pain in SLE patients may indicate serious gastrointestinal vascular complications.
- Laparotomy can be crucial for diagnosing and understanding the extent of mesenteric involvement in SLE.
- Early recognition and management of SLE-induced vasculitis are vital to prevent intestinal ischemia and infarction.