Autoamputation in a 45-Year-Old Female with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Overlap with Systemic Sclerosis: A Case Report

    December 2025 in “ Philippine Journal of Internal Medicine ”
    Alexander So, Cheryl Anne A Dela Cruz-Tan, Jessie Orcasitas
    TLDR Early recognition and tailored treatment are crucial for managing overlapping systemic lupus erythematosus and systemic sclerosis.
    This case report describes a 45-year-old female with an overlap of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and systemic sclerosis (SSc), who experienced autoamputation of digits, a rare complication of SSc. Initially diagnosed with SLE, she presented with symptoms like alopecia and joint pains, and was treated with prednisone and hydroxychloroquine. After discontinuing hydroxychloroquine due to side effects, she developed symptoms of SSc, including skin tightness and digit deformities. Her condition worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to a diagnosis of SSc. Treatment with prednisone and mycophenolate mofetil resulted in significant improvement. This case highlights the diagnostic challenges of SLE-SSc overlap and the importance of early recognition and tailored treatment strategies.
    Discuss this study in the Community →

    Research cited in this study

    2 / 2 results

    Related Community Posts Join

    6 / 1000+ results

      community Hair Remedies that Don't Work for Anybody Seeking Hair Regrowth

      in Treatment  7 upvotes 5 years ago
      Hair loss treatments discussed include minoxidil, finasteride, and RU58841. Salon products and supplements generally don't work for hair regrowth unless there's a severe nutritional deficiency, while hormonal treatments like estrogen and spironolactone can be effective.
      If You Have DUPA, PLEASE READ THIS: Everyone Should Be Scalp Biopsied

      community If You Have DUPA, PLEASE READ THIS: Everyone Should Be Scalp Biopsied

      by nkrata in Research  830 upvotes 1 year ago
      Scalp biopsies are crucial for diagnosing hair loss conditions like Diffuse Unpatterned Alopecia (DUPA) and retrograde hair loss, as treatments like finasteride and dutasteride may not be effective if other conditions are present. Combining PPAR-GAMMA agonists with retinoids could improve treatments for conditions like Lichen Planopilaris.

      community Seeking Advice: Unusual Hair Loss at 31 Years Old - Any Insights? (M)

      in Chat  15 upvotes 1 year ago
      A 31-year-old man who previously had good results with minoxidil, finasteride, and nizoral for hair loss is now experiencing unusual hair loss and side effects from finasteride. Respondents suggest it might be severe retrograde alopecia and recommend exploring other treatment options due to his inability to tolerate finasteride.

      community Minoxidil Finasteride heart problems

      in Update  97 upvotes 1 year ago
      A user experienced heart problems after taking 1mg finasteride and 2.5mg oral minoxidil and is considering quitting minoxidil. Others discussed their experiences with heart issues and minoxidil, with some suggesting topical minoxidil as a safer alternative.

    Similar Research

    5 / 1000+ results