Isolated Major Organ Involvement as the Initial Presentation of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: A Diagnostic Challenge from a Tertiary Care Center
Shweta Suryakant Khopde, Ashish Mohan VidhateAbstract
Background:
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) typically presents with multisystem involvement; however, some patients present with isolated major organ disease, leading to diagnostic delay.
Objectives:
The objective of this study was to evaluate the frequency, clinical characteristics, and immunological profile of SLE patients presenting with isolated major organ involvement at disease onset.
Materials and Methods:
Adult patients fulfilling the Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics 2012 criteria were evaluated. Patients presenting with isolated renal, neuropsychiatric, or cardiopulmonary involvement without classical features were identified.
Results:
Out of 45 SLE patients, 18 (40%) presented with isolated major organ involvement. Renal involvement was the most common isolated presentation. All patients showed antinuclear antibody positivity and hypocomplementemia.
Conclusion:
Isolated major organ involvement is a common and diagnostically challenging initial presentation of SLE.