title: Protein-losing enteropathy in systemic lupus erythematosus: case report.
abstract: Protein-losing enteropathy is rarely seen in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. This clinical condition should be suspected in the presence of persistent hypoalbuminemia despite normal liver function, adequate protein intake, and no significant proteinuria. We report the case of a 48-year-old female with weight loss, cavity effusions (ascites and pleural effusion), and lower extremity edema. The diagnosis of lupus was established based on the presence of lymphopenia, proteinuria, ANA, and positive autoantibodies (anti-Sm, anti-DNA, and anti-Ro). Because hypoalbuminemia persisted even with corticosteroid therapy at the dose of 1 mg/kg, protein-losing enteropathy was diagnosed by use of Tc-99m albumin scintigraphy. After adding azathioprine to the treatment, the symptoms subsided and serum albumin levels improved.
authors.affiliation: Hospital Geral César Cals de Oliveira, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil. fernandombaguiar@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Fernando Moreira Batista
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Aguiar
authors.forename: Zilaís Linhares Carneiro
authors.initials: ZL
authors.lastname: Menescal
authors.forename: Débora Maia da
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Costa
authors.forename: José Walter
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Correia
authors.forename: José Gerardo Araújo
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Paiva
authors.forename: Júlio Marcus Sousa
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Correia
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D034141:Hypoalbuminemia; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D008875:Middle Aged; D011504:Protein-Losing Enteropathies / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D011507:Proteinuria