Zhuravleva N.V., Karzakova L.M., Smirnova T.L., Kudryashov S. I., Lutkova T.S., Arhipova A.V.

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: Review of Modern Methods of Diagnosis, Treatment and Description of the Clinical Case

Keywords: systemic lupus erythematosus, anemia, leukopenia, immunological studies

A clinical case of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is presented. Since childhood the patient had preclinical lupus: leukopenia, anemia, photoallergy, vasculitis, and serological changes a-SS-A (+++), but at that time the findings did not meet the criteria for SLE. At the initial examination of the woman at the age of 24 years, a clinical blood test revealed hemoglobin 101 g/l, leukopenia 3.2×109/l, ESR 41 mm/h, hyper-γ-globulinemia 29%. The immunological blood analysis revealed a-DNA (+++), a-SS-A (+++), aSm (+++), aRNP (+++). The diagnosis was "Systemic lupus erythematosus of chronic (at the beginning) course, activity of the 1st degree (2 points by the SLEDA scale): with hematological disorders (leukopenia), immunological disorders (ANA+)". Metypred was administered at a dose of 16 mg/day, followed by the dose reduction to 6 mg/day and Plaquenil 400 mg/day. The woman received inpatient and outpatient treatment, repeatedly consulted in the Federal State Budgetary Institution "V.A. Nasonova Research Institute" under the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences. At the age of 26, the diagnosis was made: "Systemic lupus erythematosus, grade 2 activity with skin lesions of the type of subacute cutaneous lupus, cheilitis, lymphadenopathy", blood tests revealed leukopenia, lymphopenia, anemia, as well as immunological disorders: a-n DNA 93.4 u/ml, aSm > 200 u/ml, aRo > 200 u/ml, C3 0.63 g/l, rheumatoid factor 69.5 mIU/ml, ANA (Нер-2) 1/640 Sp. A complex therapy was performed with the use of Metypred, Cyclophosphane and Azathioprine. Against the background of the therapy, the patient's condition is stable, but immunological disorders are preserved: persistent high positivity for aRo-SS-A and the presence of the rheumatoid factor. The case demonstrates the need for an in-depth examination of women with anemia of unknown origin in combination with leukopenia to exclude systemic diseases of the connective tissue.

About authors

Zhuravleva Nadezhda V.

Candidate of Medical Sciences, Associate Professor, Department of Internal Diseases, Chuvash State University; Rheumatologist, Central City Hospital, Russia, Cheboksary (zhuravlevanv@mail.ru; ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6470-7724)

Karzakova Luiza M.

Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor, Head of Internal Diseases Department, Chuvash State University, Russia, Cheboksary (luizak58@mail.ru; ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5899-6352)

Smirnova Tatyana L.

Candidate of Medical Sciences, Associate Professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chuvash State University, Russia, Cheboksary (tlsmr@mail.ru; ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8224-1515)

Kudryashov Sergei I.

Candidate of Medical Sciences, Associate Professor of Internal Diseases Department, Chuvash State University, Russia, Cheboksary (medicpro21@mail.ru; )

Lutkova Tatyana S.

Candidate of Medical Sciences, Associate Professor of Internal Diseases Department, Chuvash State University, Russia, Cheboksary (lts21@mail.ru; ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2368-5084)

Arkhipova Anastasia V.

Rheumatologist, Republican Clinical Hospital, Russia, Cheboksary (nastya_arh83@mail.ru; ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0553-3135)

Article link

Zhuravleva N.V., Karzakova L.M., Smirnova T.L., Kudryashov S. I., Lutkova T.S., Arhipova A.V. Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: Review of Modern Methods of Diagnosis, Treatment and Description of the Clinical Case [Electronic resource] // Acta medica Eurasica. – 2021. – №1. P. 57-65. – URL: https://acta-medica-eurasica.ru/en/single/2021/1/6/. DOI: 10.47026/2413-4864-2021-1-57-65.