CASE REPORT

A case of very-late-onset systemic lupus erythematosus

Authors

Ken Yamaji¹, Mitsunori Yasuda¹, Kwang Seok Yang², Yoshinori Kanai¹, Chiharu Yamaji¹, Toshiaki Kawanishi¹, Masayuki Toumyo¹, Kazuhiko Funabiki², Hiroshi Tsuda² and Yoshinari Takasaki¹

1. Department of Internal Medicine and Rheumatology, Juntendo University School of Medicine, 2-1-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan
2. Juntendo Tokyo Koto Geriatric Medical Center, Tokyo, Japan

Received:

05 February 2007

Accepted:

01 June 2007

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Abstract

A 93-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital because of fever. Radiographic findings revealed accumulation of pleural fluid. Moreover, blood tests revealed inflammation, lymphopenia, hypocomplementemia, positive for anti-nuclear antibody, and elevated anti-DNA antibody level. Therefore, the patient was diagnosed with pleuritis associated with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Administration of prednisolone 20mg/day resulted in a marked improvement in fever, pleuritis, and laboratory findings. We report a case of very-late-onset SLE that occurred at the age of 93.

Key words

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) - Very late onset - 93-year-old