When Silence Takes Over: A Case of Catatonic Syndrome Revealing Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

This case report describes a 21-year-old female with no significant medical history who developed catatonic syndrome, revealing systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The patient presented with inflammatory arthralgia, a malar rash, and sepsis, leading to intensive care hospitalization. Laboratory tests confirmed SLE with positive autoimmune markers. Treatment included hydroxychloroquine, methylprednisolone, antibiotics, and cyclophosphamide, resulting in significant improvement of the catatonic symptoms. This case highlights catatonia as a rare but important manifestation of neuropsychiatric SLE (NPSLE), suggesting the need for further research to understand its neurophysiological mechanisms and improve diagnosis and management.