Systemic lupus erythematosus presenting as generalized chorea: case report and review of literature

Abstract

Neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosis (NPSLE) is one of the main diagnostic criteria of systemic lupus erythematosis (SLE), occurring in 25% 75% of affected patients [1,2]. Chorea is recognized as one of the clinical manifestations of NPSLE especially in children, however it is very rare to occur as the first presenting feature of SLE [3]. In this report we describe a teenage girl who presented acutely with generalized chorea and was found later on to have SLE. Her case will be described in detail and the topic of NPSLE will be reviewed.