Polyarthritis and anemia in a hemodialysis patient: systemic lupus erythematosus following treatment with interferon alpha.
Autoimmune manifestations may occur with interferon alpha (IFNalpha) therapy. However IFNalpha-induced systemic lupus erythematosus is a rare event. We report a 33-year-old hemodialysis patient who presented polyarthritis and anemia 4 months after initiation of IFNalpha for chronic hepatitis C. Systemic lupus erythematosus was diagnosed. Clinical symptoms improved rapidly with interruption of the treatment and a low-dose steroid therapy. This is the first case of IFN-induced SLE in a hemodialysis patient to confirm the major role of IFNalpha in the lupus physiopathology. Treatment with steroid therapy does not seem to worsen the HCV infection.
Touzot
M
M
Nephrology and Kidney Transplantation Unit, Saint Louis Hospital, Paris, France.
Touzot
F
F
Galicier
L
L
Ripault
M-P
MP
Peraldi
M-N
MN
Glotz
D
D
Pillebout
E
E
D000328:Adult; D000740:Anemia / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D001168:Arthritis / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016030:Kidney Transplantation; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D008297:Male; D011241:Prednisone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006435:Renal Dialysis; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011241:Prednisone