title: Protein-losing enteropathy in systemic lupus erythematosus.
abstract: Two patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) presented with anasarca, pleural effusions and severe hypoalbuminema. Both were demonstrated to have protein-losing enteropathy, a rare complication of SLE. Other causes of gastrointestinal protein loss were excluded. There were marked similarities in both cases including circulating ANF with speckled staining, anti-(U1)RNP antibodies and low serum complement levels. Complete remission was achieved in both with prednisolone. Anti-(U1)RNP may be a marker for a subset of SLE in which protein-losing enteropathy is a major manifestation.
authors.affiliation: Department of General Medicine, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Nedlands, W.A.
authors.forename: S E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Edmunds
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Ganju
authors.forename: B R
authors.initials: BR
authors.lastname: Beveridge
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: French
authors.forename: M F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Quinlan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear / Q000032:analysis; D001324:Autoantigens / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy; D011379:Prognosis; D011504:Protein-Losing Enteropathies / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy; D055517:snRNP Core Proteins
chemical_list: D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear; D001324:Autoantigens; D055517:snRNP Core Proteins