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.
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus in a Patient with Hashimoto's Thyroiditis and Pernicious Anaemia
