Enteropatia perdedora de proteínas no lúpus eritematoso sistêmico: relato de caso

• Main Author: Aguiar, Fernando Moreira Batista
• Publication Date: 2012
• Other Authors: Menescal, Zilaís Linhares Carneiro, Costa, Débora Maia da, Correia, José Walter, Paiva, José Gerardo Araújo [UNIFESP], Correia, Júlio Marcus Sousa
• Format: Article
• Language: por
• Source: Repositório Institucional da UNIFESP
• Download full: http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0482-50042012000600013; http://repositorio.unifesp.br/handle/11600/7389
• topic: systemic lupus erythematosus; protein-losing enteropathies; technetium Tc-99m albumin aggregates; lúpus eritematoso sistêmico; enteropatias perdedoras de proteínas; agregado de albumina 99mTc

Protein-losing enteropathy is rarely seen in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. This clinical condition should be suspected in the presence of persistent hypoalbuminemia despite normal liver function, adequate protein intake, and no significant proteinuria. We report the case of a 48-year-old female with weight loss, cavity effusions (ascites and pleural effusion), and lower extremity edema. The diagnosis of lupus was established based on the presence of lymphopenia, proteinuria, ANA, and positive autoantibodies (anti-Sm, anti-DNA, and anti-Ro). Because hypoalbuminemia persisted even with corticosteroid therapy at the dose of 1 mg/kg, protein-losing enteropathy was diagnosed by use of Tc-99m albumin scintigraphy. After adding azathioprine to the treatment, the symptoms subsided and serum albumin levels improved.