Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Hypertension Without Renal Insufficiency

I N the evaluation of patients with hypertension, specific etiologic factors such as coarctation of the aorta, unilateral renal disease or polycystic disease of the kidneys have been sought, but have been found only occasionally. Continuing improvements in diagnostic methods, however, have made pos-sible the discovery of new factors operative in association with high blood pressure. Among these, we believe that systemic lupus deserves current emphasis. Since Hargraves' * description of the lupus erythematosus cell in 1948 there has been a marked rise in the reported incidence of systemic lupus erythematosus (S.L.E.) , due presumably to this new diagnostic aid. A review of the literature indicates that the majority of patients with S.L.E. show marked elevations of blood pressure only in association with severe renal damage. We wish to report the occurrence of S.L.E. in young patients with hypertension who have not reached a stage of renal insufficiency.