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Thrombophlebitis in systemic lupus erythematosus.
JAMA
|October 13, 1978
Summary
Thrombophlebitis, a type of blood clot, affects over 12% of patients with active systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). This complication can lead to pulmonary emboli and requires careful recognition in SLE patients.
Area of Science:
- Rheumatology
- Hematology
- Internal Medicine
Background:
- Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease with diverse clinical manifestations.
- Thrombotic events are a known complication of SLE, but the incidence of thrombophlebitis requires further elucidation.
Observation:
- A study observed thrombophlebitis in 14 out of 114 patients (12.2%) with active SLE.
- Abnormal clotting occurred even in patients with thrombocytopenia or circulating anticoagulants.
- Pulmonary emboli were confirmed in seven patients experiencing thrombophlebitis.
Findings:
- The association between thrombophlebitis and active SLE, though infrequently reported, appears to be relatively common.
- No specific clinical features distinguished patients with thrombophlebitis from other SLE patients.
- Possible underlying mechanisms for thrombophlebitis in SLE patients warrant further investigation.
Implications:
- Recognizing thrombophlebitis as a complication of SLE is crucial due to its potential severity.
- The pain associated with pulmonary emboli, a consequence of thrombophlebitis, can be mistaken for SLE-induced pleuritis.
- This highlights the importance of considering thrombotic events in the differential diagnosis of chest pain in active SLE patients.