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Journal of Medical Cases

Case Report

Volume 10, Number 8, August 2019, pages 246-248

A Severe Presentation of Drug-Induced Lupus Erythematosus

The association between certain drugs and the triggering of autoimmune diseases or antibody production is well known from decades ago. Several drugs have been described to induce a condition similar to systemic lupus erythematosus in patients with no previous history of autoimmune diseases [1]. The first case was described in 1945 associated with treatment with sulfadiazine [2], although later it was considered a hypersensitivity reaction [3]. Since then, more than 90 drugs have been related with drug-induced lupus erythematosus (DILE) and the number is continuously increasing [1]. The majority of the drugs are classified as having a low or very low-risk profile to cause DILE, due to the paucity of cases described and probably to the lack of prospective studies [4]. More recently, the introduction of the biological modulators, used in the treatment of neoplastic and autoimmune diseases, led to an increase of the DILE cases. Although it might be difficult to establish a clear diagnosis in patients treated with these drugs, because they may have a pre-existing autoimmune condition acting as a confounder, the risk associated with the development of antibodies (and eventually an autoimmune disease) seems significantly increased [3].

A 74-year-old female patient was admitted to our Internal Medicine Ward after multiple hospitalizations during the past year. She complained about anorexia, asthenia and significant weight loss, developing slowly throughout the last months. At the beginning of the symptoms, she was hospitalized due to bilateral thrombosis of the internal saphenous vein. Subsequently, the patient developed chronic non-bloody diarrhea, ascites and bilateral leg edema. Her family also reported that the patient had recent cognitive deterioration, decreased visual acuity and episodes of fever.

Previously, she reported a good health condition despite having a past medical history of dyslipidemia. Her medication included subcutaneous enoxaparin as a therapy for venous thrombosis and atorvastatin, prescribed 2 years before for primary cardiovascular disease prevention. The physical examination was compatible with severe sarcopenia, ascites, leg edema and bilateral pleural effusion. We also identified a triphasic Raynaud’s phenomenon. The neurologic examination revealed left homonymous hemianopia and right homonymous quadrantanopia, with anosognosia. The laboratory findings revealed elevation of C-reactive protein, normocytic anemia, mild thrombocytopenia and normal leukocyte counts. Furthermore, the autoimmunity screening detected a high titer of anti-nuclear antibodies (1:1,280), with a homogenous pattern, low levels of anti-double stranded DNA (anti-dsDNA) antibody (8.67 IU/mL) and high titers of anti-histone antibodies (> 200 U/mL). Complement levels (C3 and C4) were decreased and antiphospholipid syndrome antibodies were absent. The stool examination was unable to identify parasites or common pathogenic bacteria and the colonoscopy with biopsies was unremarkable. An abdominal paracentesis was performed showing a low serum ascites-albumin gradient. Furthermore, the screening for celiac and neoplastic diseases was negative. Finally, a cerebral computed tomography (CT) revealed a right temporal/occipital ischemic lesion and a left temporal/parietal/occipital ischemic lesion. The transcranial Doppler ultrasonography, serial electrocardiography and echocardiography found no etiological cause for the stroke.

The diagnosis of drug-induced lupus secondary to statins was assumed. The treatment with atorvastatin was discontinued and prednisolone was initiated at 1 mg/kg and gradually tapered. A favorable clinical response was registered in the first week but unfortunately, the patient died 1 month after due to severe pseudomembranous colitis.

DILE affects predominantly older patients (mean age 59 years) [3] and both genders equally [1]. The disease may occur weeks to years after the initiation of the drug and the onset is often gradual [4]. Although different drugs may induce different forms of DILE and diagnostic criteria are unavailable [5], the most common manifestations are arthralgia, malaise, fever, myalgia, anorexia and weight loss. Cutaneous and major organ involvement is less common than in systemic lupus erythematosus [4].

The laboratory findings include an increased erythrocyte sedimentation rate and an elevated C-reactive protein [6]. Leukopenia is present in 5-25% of the cases, anemia is detected in up to 35% of the patients and thrombocytopenia is rare in the majority of the cases [4]. Hypocomplementemia may be present although is not common [7]. The presence of antinuclear antibodies is frequent and has been suggested as a diagnostic criterion. All fluorescence patterns for antinuclear antibodies may be present but the most frequent is homogeneous. On the other hand, high levels of anti-dsDNA antibodies are rare [8] and should raise doubts about the diagnosis. In fact, high titers of anti-histone antibodies in the absence of high levels of anti-dsDNA antibodies have been proposed as a major criterion [4].

In severe cases, the treatment should include corticosteroids or other immunosuppressive drugs. However, in most cases with the withdrawal of the causative agent symptoms are reversible within weeks or months, although the serologic abnormalities may resolve more gradually [5].

In the reported case, infectious and neoplastic causes were extensively excluded and eventually contributed to the delay of the definitive diagnosis. Although consensual diagnostic criteria are not available in the literature, the patient presented typical symptoms and laboratory abnormalities of DILE. Although 24-h Holter was not readily available to exclude a cardioembolic etiology for the stroke, the patient was monitored during several days and performed several electrocardiograms and no arrhythmia was identified. In this context, we can hypothesize the risk factors associated with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) to be the cause for the stroke and the bilateral venous thrombosis.

The atorvastatin was considered to be the provocative drug, due to the temporal relation between its administration and the presence of the symptoms. Additionally, immunosuppressive therapy was mandatory in this patient due to the central nervous system involvement and the severity of the symptoms.

The incidence of DILE is higher in older ages; and the establishment of the diagnosis requires a high level of suspicion, frequently leading to a delay in the diagnosis. Iatrogenesis should always be considered when the etiological cause is not easily perceived. A temporal association between the initiation of the suspected drug and the onset of the symptoms might be difficult in some cases, as it might have existed for an interval of years. However, the resolution of the symptoms after the withdrawal of the drug is essential and confirms the diagnosis.

Acknowledgments

None to declare.

Financial Disclosure

None to declare.

Conflict of Interest

None to declare.

Informed Consent

Informed consent for publication was obtained.

Author Contributions

Ana Rita Nogueira and Miguel Tabuas-Pereira participated in drafting the article; Antonio Aragao and Manuel Teixeira Verissimo revised the paper critically for important intelectual content.

Abbreviations

CT: computed tomography; DILE: drug-induced lupus erythematosus; SLE: systemic lupus erythematosus

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Journal of Medical Cases is published by Elmer Press Inc.