A Case Report of Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura Associated with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: Overlapping Features
January 2014
in “
American Journal of Medical Case Reports
”
TLDR Early diagnosis, intensive therapy, and careful follow-up are crucial for managing overlapping TTP and SLE.
This case report described a 17-year-old girl with overlapping features of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). She presented with high fever, headache, microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, and central nervous system involvement, fulfilling criteria for SLE. Initial treatment with plasma exchange was effective, but TTP recurred after 8 months and was managed with plasma exchange, steroids, and cyclophosphamide. The case highlighted the difficulty in distinguishing TTP from SLE and emphasized the importance of early diagnosis, intensive therapy, and careful follow-up to manage both conditions and their high morbidity.
