Key result
Treatment with corticosteroids was effective in 3 of 5 (60%) elderly men with occult systemic lupus erythematosus presenting with debilitating systemic illness.
Case Report (n=5)
Systemic lupus erythematosus should be considered in elderly men presenting with debilitating systemic illness, and early testing for DNA antibodies may aid in diagnosis.
May prompt SLE consideration in elderly men with systemic illness; leaves open corticosteroid efficacy pending controlled studies.
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is often not suspected in elderly men with a debilitating illness, particularly when pleuropericarditis is not prominent. Five elderly men with SLE were initially seen with a systemic illness, marked by fever, weight loss, and arthritis. The diagnosis of SLE was established after considerable delay with extensive diagnostic evaluations and was supported by the presence of DNA antibodies in four patients. Treatment with corticosteroids was effective in three patients. Early testing for DNA antibodies may be cost effective in the evaluation of the elderly patient with a debilitating illness.
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Alan N. Baer (1983) conducted a case report in Systemic lupus erythematosus (n=5). Corticosteroids was evaluated on Effectiveness of corticosteroid treatment. Treatment with corticosteroids was effective in 3 of 5 (60%) elderly men with occult systemic lupus erythematosus presenting with debilitating systemic illness.
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