Systemic lupus erythematosus in a 20-year-old woman: a case report
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.18203/2349-3933.ijam20254140Keywords:
Systemic lupus erythematosus, Antinuclear antibodyAbstract
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a complex autoimmune disease affecting multiple organ systems. It predominantly occurs in women of reproductive age, with a global prevalence ranging from approximately 20 to 150 cases per 100,000 individuals. The diagnosis of SLE can be supported by antinuclear antibody (ANA) testing, which includes an initial screening with immunofluorescence ANA (ANA-IF), followed by an ANA profile to identify specific autoantibodies. A 20-year-old female presented with complaints of easy fatigue, fever, joint pain, and hair loss. Laboratory investigations revealed anemia. Immunological testing demonstrated a positive ANA-IF result with a titer of 1:1000 and a delicate speckled pattern, meeting the EULAR/ACR criteria that consider a positive ANA-IF titer ≥1:80. Based on these clinical and laboratory findings, the patient was diagnosed with SLE and commenced on corticosteroid therapy. Subsequent follow-up showed clinical improvement. This case highlights the importance of careful interpretation of ANA-IF titers and patterns for the early detection of SLE. Additionally, specific autoantibody profiling remains essential to support a more precise diagnosis.
References
Perhimpunan Reumatologi Indonesia. Diagnosis dan Pengelolaan Lupus Eritematosus Sistemik. Jakarta: Perhimpunan Reumatologi Indonesia; 2019. Available at: https://reumatologi.or.id/download/ diagnosis-dan-pengelolaan-lupus-eritematosus-sistemik/. Accessed on 2 August 2025.
Selvaraja M, Abdullah M, Md Shah A, Arip M, Amin Nordin S. Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE): a review on the prevalence, clinical manifestation, and disease assessment. Prog Microbes Mol Biol. 2020;3(1). DOI: https://doi.org/10.36877/pmmb.a0000106
Lam NV, Brown JA, Sharma R. Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: Diagnosis and Treatment. Am Fam Physician. 2023;107(4):383-95.
Tugonza Akiro F. Anemia of Inflammation vs. Iron-Deficiency Anemia: Diagnostic Challenges and Overlapping Mechanisms. Newport Int J Res Med Sci. 2025;6(2):53-8. DOI: https://doi.org/10.59298/NIJRMS/2025/6.2.5358
Santacruz JC, Mantilla MJ, Rueda I, Pulido S, Rodriguez-Salas G, Londono J. A Practical Perspective of the Hematologic Manifestations of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. Cureus. 2022;14(3):e22938. DOI: https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.22938
Restrepo-Escobar M, Granda-Carvajal PA, Aguirre-Acevedo DC, Jaimes F, Vásquez GM. Predictive factors of hospital-acquired bacterial infections in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. J Clin Rheumatol. 2023;29(5):240-4. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1097/RHU.0000000000001977
Han BK, Wysham KD, Cain KC, Tyden H, Bengtsson AA, Lood C. Neutrophil and lymphocyte counts are associated with different immunopathological mechanisms in systemic lupus erythematosus. Lupus Sci Med. 2020;7(1):e000382. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1136/lupus-2020-000382
Berentsen S, Barcellini W. Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemias. N Engl J Med. 2021;385(15):1407-19. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMra2033982
Ramesh TV, Ayyaswamy G, Sangeetha Z, Kumar VP. Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: Clinical Presentation, Diagnostic Challenges, and Management Strategies. J Angiother. 2022;6(1):1-5.
Azad MAK, Islam MN, Choudhury MR, Haq SA, Shahin A, Rashid FB, Sharmin F. Urinary Tract Infection in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: Report from A Developing Country. Mymensingh Med J. 2025;34(1):141-52.
Fanouriakis A, Tziolos N, Bertsias G, Boumpas DT. Update οn the diagnosis and management of systemic lupus erythematosus. Ann Rheum Dis. 2021;80(1):14-25. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1136/annrheumdis-2020-218272
Tešija Kuna A, Đerek L, Drvar V, Kozmar A, Gugo K. Assessment of antinuclear antibodies (ANA): National recommendations on behalf of the Croatian society of medical biochemistry and laboratory medicine. Biochem Med (Zagreb). 2021;31(2):020502. DOI: https://doi.org/10.11613/BM.2021.020502
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
