[Diffuse alveolar hemorrhage in systemic lupus erythematosus].
OBJECTIVE
To determine the clinical features of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients with diffuse alveolar hemorrhage (DAH).


METHODS
The medical records of seventeen SLE patients with DAH were reviewed.


RESULTS
Hypoxemia (100%), dyspnea (88%), cough (88%) and fever (82%) were the most common symptoms instead of hemoptysis (71%). The most common extrapulmonary presentation was renal involvement (94%). About 60% patients were complicated with lung infection. The mean drop in hemoglobin was (32 +/- 11.3) g/L. Mean SLEDAI was (17 +/- 10). All received high-dose steroids and most also were given cyclophosphamide. Ratio of mechanical ventilation in non-survivors was higher than that of survivors (P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
DAH is a rare and catastrophic event in SLE. DAH can occur in any course, which suggests active SLE, and frequently complicated with lupus nephritis. Some patients may have no hemoptysis.
Shen
Min
M
Department of Rheumatology, the Chinese Academy of Medical Science, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing 100730, China.
Zeng
Xue-jun
XJ
Fan
Hong-wei
HW
Xu
Wen-bing
WB
Zhang
Feng-chun
FC
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011650:Pulmonary Alveoli / Q000473:pathology; D055815:Young Adult