J Korean Neuropsychiatr Assoc.  2001 May;40(3):534-540.

Three Cases of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus with Severe Psychotic Symptoms

• Moon HW
• Kang MH
• Song JS
• Park W
• Kim CE
• Lee JS
• Bae JN

Abstract

Systemic lupus erythematosus(SLE) is a disease of unknown etiology in which multiple organs are damaged by pathogenic autoantibodies and immune complexes. Neuropsychiatric manifestations in SLE were first described by Kaposi in 1872. These are so diverse that they include psychosis, depression, stroke, seizure and cognitive dysfunction etc. These patients are frequently consulted for psychiatric evaluation. Neuropsychiatric manifestations in SLE are also among the leading causes of morbidity and mortality and associated with poor long-term outcome. So it is essential to recognize and intervene these symptoms early. But the clear diagnostic criteria for CNS involvement in SLE have not been formulated, and diversity and fluctuation of illness make it difficult to confirm it. The authors reported three cases of SLE with severe neuropsychiatric manifestations. These patients showed symptoms such as disorientation, auditory and visual hallucibation, delusion and mood instability. They became frequently impulsive and violent and had risks to injure themselves or others. Although CNS involvement in SLE is not well known, we reviewed the pathogenesis, classification, diagnosis, clinical manifestation and treatment of them.

Keyword

Systemic lupus erythematosus; Psychotic symptoms

MeSH Terms

Antigen-Antibody Complex
Autoantibodies
Classification
Delusions
Depression
Diagnosis
Humans
Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic*
Mortality
Psychotic Disorders
Seizures
Stroke
Antigen-Antibody Complex
Autoantibodies