Protein-Losing Enteropathy as the First Presentation of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus in a Resource-Limited Setting in Sri Lanka: A Case Report
March 2023
in “
Curēus
”
Studysummary This case report details a 38-year-old woman in Sri Lanka diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus-associated protein-losing enteropathy, identified through hypoalbuminemia and EULAR criteria in a resource-limited setting.
Our plain-language summary. Not medical advice or a treatment recommendation. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before changing treatment. Full disclaimer
A 38-year-old Sri Lankan female with a history of hypothyroidism presented with generalized body swelling and ascites, hypoalbuminemia, and no proteinuria, leading to a clinical suspicion of protein-losing enteropathy (PLE). Further investigation revealed significant alopecia, a high antinuclear antibody (ANA) titer of 1:1000, and hypocomplementemia, which, along with the absence of other causes for PLE, led to a diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)-associated PLE. This diagnosis was made based on the European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology (EULAR) criteria for SLE, despite the lack of specific confirmatory tests for PLE due to resource limitations. This case highlights the challenge of diagnosing PLE, a rare gastrointestinal manifestation of SLE, in settings with limited resources.
