scholarly journals To treat or not to treat with immunosuppressive therapy: psychiatric disorders in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

2022 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. e000629
Author(s):  
Rory C Monahan ◽  
Anne M E Blonk ◽  
Tom WJ Huizinga ◽  
Margreet Kloppenburg ◽  
Huub A M Middelkoop ◽  
...  
Lupus ◽  
1993 ◽  
Vol 2 (6) ◽  
pp. 367-369 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sergio Morelli ◽  
Marcello Giordano ◽  
Paolo De Marzio ◽  
Roberta Priori ◽  
Alessandro Sgreccia ◽  
...  

2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 27-34
Author(s):  
Anna Mirela Stroie ◽  
Mircea Nicolae Penescu

AbstractPosterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome is a rare manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus, characterized by altered mental status, headache, convulsions, visual field impairment and posterior and reversible alterations on imaging scans(1,2). The clinical picture develops over a few hours, presenting with rapidly progressive neurological symptoms(3). It was first described in 1996. It is more frequent in patients with acute kidney injury or chronic kidney disease, thus in lupus patients with kidney disorders. It is associated with hypertension, other autoimmune diseases beside lupus, immunosuppressive therapies, especially antibody-based immunosuppressive therapy, and organ transplantation. It is clinically reversible within one week and imaging changes resolve within 2-4 weeks. It is treatable and has a good prognosis. We present the case of a young woman of 27 years, diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus who developed convulsive seizures, headache, visual impairment, being under immunosuppressive therapy with azathioprine. The kidney biopsy revealed class IV lupus nephritis and partial remission of the nephrotic syndrome. The other manifestations of SLE in this patient were cutaneous, immunological, articular and haematological. The patient had a good short, medium and long-term prognosis at 30 days and also at 6 months.


2019 ◽  
Vol 72 (7) ◽  
pp. 1359-1363
Author(s):  
Marcin Zarzycki ◽  
Magdalena Flaga-Łuczkiewicz ◽  
Joanna Czuwara ◽  
Lidia Rudnicka

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic multiorgan autoimmune disease belonging to spectrum of interest of many medical specialties. Wide range of patients 14−75% with SLE suffers from neuropsychiatric disorders. The problematic diagnosis of neuropsychiatric SLE has generated many studies focusing on etiology of the disease with the presence of specific autoantibodies, abnormalities which can be detected by imaging examinations or correlation with catecholamine levels. The aim of this review paper is to discuss the frequency of neuropsychiatric disturbances in patients with SLE and their potential association with immunological abnormalities and specific disease markers. So far published literature regarding this topic indicates the usefulness of autoantibodies specificity. The use of the specific antibodies may be helpful in targeting diagnostics towards psychiatric disorders, especially depressive ones. Imaging scanning techniques such as computed tomography (CT) have limited value in psychiatric disorders diagnosis but can be useful in neurological symptoms and complains. Therapeutic use of systemic glucocorticosteroids due to anti-inflammatory properties with multidirectional action, may also significantly influence the course of neuropsychiatric diseases, especially in patients with SLE. Awareness of the morbidity of neuropsychiatric disorders and the possibilities of their diagnosis are important in the management of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus, which significantly affects the quality of life of patients, treatment efficacy and psyche.


2011 ◽  
Vol 26 (S2) ◽  
pp. 895-895
Author(s):  
S. Yelmo Cruz ◽  
V. Barrau Alonso ◽  
M. Salinas Muñoz

IntroductionSystemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) can affect central nervous system (CNS), leading to neurological and/or psychiatric disorders. The use of corticosteroids for the management of SLE may induce psychiatric disorders.ObjectivesDifferential diagnosis of the origin of psychosis in patients with SLE (CNS lupus vs. induced by corticosteroid therapy).Methods and resultsA 22 year old female patient presented asthenia, oral bleeding, epistaxis, metrorrhagia, bicytopenia, hypoalbuminemia, low complement, with anti-DNA > 300, ANA, IgG Anticardiolipin, Anti-Sm, anti-RNP, anti-Ro, Anti-La and Anti-Histone positive.A diagnosis of SLE was made. She presented also diffuse grade IV nephritis. There were administered 3 iv 6-methylprednisolone pulse therapies (750 mg/day) with a cycle of cyclophosphamide. Subsequently she continued with oral prednisone 60 mg/day. Four days after the end of the pulses, the patient developed anxiety, suspicion, injury delusions, auditory hallucinations and behavioral disinhibition. A MRI was normal. Risperidone was started up to 6 mg/day and oral prednisone was tapered. After a progressive improvement she was discharged.ResultsCorticosteroids induce psychiatric disorders in 3–10% of patients. Low levels of complement, hypoalbuminemia and a positive ratio (≥ 9) of albumin in CSF x103/serum albumin are indicators of blood brain barrier damage and psychosis induced by corticosteroids. The presence of ac Antiribosoma P, ac antineuronals, MRI or EEG abnormals suggest the diagnosis of CNS lupus (lupus psychosis)ConclusionsDifferential diagnosis between lupus psychosis vs. psychosis induced by corticosteroids is complicated. In case of doubt, some authors advocate increasing the dose of steroids and awaiting a clinical response. Others advocate rapid tapering and stopping steroids.


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