Keywords
Systemic lupus erythematosus
Discoid lupus
Pulmonary hemorrhage
Discoid lupus
Pulmonary hemorrhage
How to Cite
Vilá-Rivera, K., Jiménez-Encarnación, E., & Vilá-Pérez, S. (2013). Pulmonary Hemorrhage in a Patient initially presenting with Discoid Lupus. Puerto Rico Health Sciences Journal, 32(4). Retrieved from https://prhsj.rcm.upr.edu/index.php/prhsj/article/view/944
Abstract
As a cutaneous variant of lupus erythematosus, discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE) is thought to have a good prognosis; however, the involvement of internal organs with a transition to systemic disease may occur. The progression from DLE to systemic lupus erythematosus has been reported in up to 28% of patients. This progression to systemic disease has been associated with a benign course. Herein, we report the case of a 31-year-old woman with a 10-year history of discoid lupus, now presenting with dyspnea and pleuritic chest pain of 1 month’s duration. A significant drop in hemoglobin and hematocrit levels was observed in association with leukopenia, lymphopenia, a positive ANA, and hypocomplementemia. Chest radiography and computed tomography revealed bilateral infiltrates. An open lung biopsy confirmed the presence of intra-alveolar hemorrhage. Based on the results of the tests and analyses detailed herein, a diagnosis of pulmonary hemorrhage secondary to systemic lupus erythematosus was made. To our knowledge, pulmonary hemorrhage as the initial manifestation of the systemic involvement of discoid lupus has not been reported before.
Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:
a. Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
b. Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.
c. Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work (See The Effect of Open Access).