Is the diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus still a challenge? A case report

Abstract

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a potentially fatal autoimmune disease that remains frequently underdiagnosed due to the heterogeneity of its symptoms. Lack of specific features at the initial presentation often results in delayed diagnosis. We present the case of a 58 years old SLE patient with renal, neurological, hematological and articular involvement and associated antiphospholipid syndrome, whose first manifestation of the disease occurred 20 years before the diagnosis could be made. SLE is a disease with a wide array of symptoms. As such, unless a strong index of suspicion is maintained, the disease diagnosis and specific treatment may be easily delayed.