Estudo de relato de caso: sobreposição de ESCLEROSE SISTÊMICA + LÚPUS ERITEMATOSO SISTÊMICO
Estudo de relato de caso: sobreposição de ESCLEROSE SISTÊMICA + LÚPUS ERITEMATOSO SISTÊMICO
DOI: https://doi.org/10.22533/at.ed.91925190211
Palavras-chave: Lúpus eritematoso sistêmico; Esclerose sistêmica; Corticoterapia
Keywords: Systemic lupus erythematosus; Systemic sclerosis; Corticosteroid therapy
Abstract: INTRODUCTION: Systemic Sclerosis (SSc) and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) are autoimmune diseases that affect patients' quality of life in different ways. Both pathologies can compromise multiple organ systems, leading to symptoms such as skin rashes, arthralgia, fever, fatigue and renal and neurological impairment. The exact cause of these conditions is still complex and not well defined. OBJECTIVE: This report describes a 32-year-old female patient, initially diagnosed with systemic sclerosis and, later, with systemic lupus erythematosus, resulting in the diagnosis of overlapping of these diseases. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness of treatment for these overlapping conditions in order to assess the patient's quality of life. CASE REPORT: Patient, C.R.D.L.C., sought care with persistent arthralgia in the hands, mild alopecia and Raynaud's phenomenon and occasional ulcers in the hands. In his exams, he presented positive anti-Sm, positive direct Coombs, negative anti-SCL70 and Gross Punctate Nuclear. The patient already had a previous history of immune thrombocytopenia and systemic sclerosis under treatment. On physical examination, he was in good general condition, with decreased breath sounds bilaterally and small ulcerated lesions on his fingers. Laboratory tests indicated a hemoglobin of 10.5 g/dL, hematocrit of 31.7%, platelets of 294,000, ESR of 78 mm, positive direct coombs, PCR of 81, C3 was 89, confirming the overlap syndrome (ES + LES). The approach included maintaining existing medications: hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) 500 mg/day, rituximab 1 g injectable, and prednisolone 40 mg/day, in addition to requesting new follow-up laboratory tests: blood count, creatinine, TGO, TGP, direct Coombs, ESR and PCR. Patient returned with reduced inflammatory tests, both ESR and CRP, and along with this, improvement in some clinical conditions, such as skin and hand stiffness, longer period of time without presenting fever, but with continued pain when moving fingers. CONCLUSION: This case highlights the complexity of diagnosing and managing overlapping autoimmune diseases such as systemic sclerosis and systemic lupus erythematosus. The overlap of these conditions can complicate treatment and impact the patient's quality of life. Effective management requires a multidisciplinary approach and continuous adjustments in treatment to meet individual needs. Future follow-up is crucial to improve treatment strategies and offer better results for patients with syndromes like this.
- Naime Gimenes Abdala De Santis
- Gustavo Roberto Lourenço
- Alessandra Afonso Borges
- Letícia Barroquelo Viana Lopes
- Maria Clara Fatinansi Altrão
- Gabriel Henrique Muniz dos Santos