A rare initial manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus--acute pancreatitis: case report and review of the literature.
BACKGROUND
Acute pancreatitis as the initial manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) has been documented only nine times in the English literature.


METHODS
We report the case of a 25-year-old woman patient with fever, abdominal pain and vomiting, elevated levels of pancreatic enzymes, and various other laboratory abnormalities. Further investigation led to a diagnosis of SLE. A literature search, using the key words "systemic lupus erythematosus" and "pancreatitis" was undertaken.


CONCLUSIONS
The treatment of SLE pancreatitis is steroids, which is somewhat controversial because steroids have been implicated in the cause. SLE can involve any organ system. It is important that the family physician, who treats patients as a whole, rules out SLE when a straightforward diagnosis is associated with inexplicable multiple concomitant abnormalities.
Duncan
Hazel V
HV
Family Practice Residency, and the Department of Family Practice, State University of New York, Brooklyn 11203, usa.
Achara
Gloria
G
D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D000681:Amylases / Q000097:blood; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000097:blood; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D008775:Methylprednisolone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010195:Pancreatitis / Q000209:etiology*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D001323:Autoantibodies; D000681:Amylases; D008775:Methylprednisolone