Korean J Gastroenterol.  1999 Oct;34(4):555-558.

A Case of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus with Initial Clinical Presentation of Recurrent Peritonitis

• Choi W
• Kim YS
• shin YW
• Lee DH
• Cho HG
• Kim HG
• Kim PS
• Min HY
• Kuwon ES
• Kim HS

Abstract

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic inflammatory disease of unknown cause, and is characterized by appearance of variable autoantibodies and multiple organ involvement. Chronic ascites in SLE is uncommon and it has a wide differential diagnosis that includes congestive heart failure, constrictive pericarditis, pericardial tamponade, nephrotic syndrome, Budd-Chiari syndrome, protein- losing enteropathy and tuberculosis. It is unusual for recurrent massive ascites to be major presenting manifestations of SLE. In this case, we present a 18-years-old female patient with recurrent peritonitis with ascites. The patient presented with abdominal pain and distension, which suggested peritonitis with ascites. The abdominal symptoms were improved after treatment with corticosteroid therapy.

Keyword

Systemic lupus erythematosus; Ascites; Peritonitis

MeSH Terms

Abdominal Pain
Ascites
Autoantibodies
Budd-Chiari Syndrome
Cardiac Tamponade
Diagnosis, Differential
Female
Heart Failure
Humans
Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic*
Nephrotic Syndrome
Pericarditis, Constrictive
Peritonitis*
Tuberculosis
Autoantibodies