Abdominal Pain in a Young Woman With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

A 17-year-old female with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) presented with abdominal pain and was initially misdiagnosed with acute appendicitis. Post-surgery, she developed complications including ascites, pleural effusion, and acute renal failure. Further evaluation revealed intestinal pseudo-obstruction, a rare SLE manifestation, which improved with high-dose steroids. A renal biopsy confirmed lupus nephritis class II, and additional treatment with mycophenolate mofetil was initiated. Three years post-diagnosis, the patient remains symptom-free. Intestinal pseudo-obstruction in SLE, often linked with urinary tract issues, requires prompt diagnosis and treatment to prevent severe outcomes.