title: Splenic hypofunction in systemic lupus erythematosus.
abstract: Systemic lupus erythematosus is a relatively common autoimmune disease in the United States. Hyposplenism is infrequently described in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. It is seen in up to 5% of patients and is thought to be caused by vasculitic changes within the spleen. The diagnosis of hyposplenism can be made easily by identifying Howell-Jolly bodies on a peripheral blood smear. The authors describe a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus associated with hyposplenism and discuss possible diagnostic and treatment implications.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-School of Osteopathic Medicine, Stratford.
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Childs
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Adelizzi
authors.forename: M B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Dabrow
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Freed
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004908:Erythrocyte Inclusions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications*; D013158:Splenic Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D017086:beta-Thalassemia / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications*