Yeungnam Univ J Med.  2005 Dec;22(2):253-258.

A Case of Protein-losing Enteropathy Treated with High Dose Intravenous Glucocorticoid Therapy in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

• Lee KH
• Kwon CM
• Kim HD
• Yun DY
• Lee JY
• Hong YH
• Lee CK

Abstract

Generalized edema and hypoalbuminemia are relatively common presenting manifestations in many clinical situations. The differential diagnosis of hypoalbuminemia include: Kwashiorkor, synthetic dysfunction of the liver, and excessive protein loss as in nephrotic syndrome. In systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), hypoalbuminemia and generalized edema are most commonly due to protein loss associated with lupus nephritis; gastrointestinal involvement is uncommon, and therefore protein loss through the gastrointestinal tract is quite rare. We report a case of a protein losing enteropathy (PLE) associated with SLE. The patient was referred to our hospital for generalized edema, arthralgia and facial rash. After clinical evaluation, the patient met the criteria for the SLE diagnosis; hypoalbuminemia with general edema was consistent with a protein losing enteropathy. After two weeks of therapy with parenteral high dose glucocorticoid, the patients was improved in laboratory findings as well as clinical symptoms.

Keyword

Protein losing enteropathy (PLE); Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE); Hypoalbuminemia; Edema

MeSH Terms

Arthralgia
Diagnosis
Diagnosis, Differential
Edema
Exanthema
Gastrointestinal Tract
Humans
Hypoalbuminemia
Kwashiorkor
Liver
Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic*
Lupus Nephritis
Nephrotic Syndrome
Protein-Losing Enteropathies*