title: Late onset systemic lupus erythematosus diagnosed in an elderly man with unusual skin eruptions and sudden death.
abstract: A rare case of late onset SLE in an elderly man presented with generalized toxicoderma-like eruptions. The rash first appeared at age 64 years and was characterized by dark or purplish erythematous eruptions disseminated over the body surface. Histological examination revealed marked liquefaction degeneration and leukocytoclastic vasculitis. Direct immunofluorescence study and serological examination results were suggestive of SLE; however, the patient had no episodes of photosensitivity, malar erythema, or arthralgia. He was diagnosed as having SLE 11 months after his first visit and died suddenly 16 months after onset. Elderly men with SLE can present with unusual clinical manifestations; careful examination of these patients is required to reach a correct diagnosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Iijima
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Takita
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Otsuka
mesh_terms: D017668:Age of Onset; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003645:Death, Sudden; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D019085:Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Direct; D006801:Humans; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011239:Prednisolone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017443:Skin Diseases, Eczematous / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D014657:Vasculitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D011239:Prednisolone