Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Pleural Involvement in Systemic Autoimmune Disorders

“…There is no clear gender association [43, 49]. Pleuritic pain was reported in 60 of 138 patients in one series, with 14 experiencing repeated episodes [50, 51], and a chest radiographic study disclosed a prevalence of pleural effusion of approximately 35% [50, 51]. However, the exact incidence is difficult to estimate, because a considerable number of lupus patients with transient pleural disease are asymptomatic and may not come to medical attention.…”

“…Pleuritic pain is often distressing and may be prolonged [45, 50] occasionally necessitating pleurectomy after failure of conservative treatment [53]. Typically, most patients with lupus pleuritis are febrile and have cough, tachycardia and breathlessness [42].…”

“…Refractory pleural effusions, although rare, are mainly part of lupus exacerbation and may be life-threatening due to disease severity and treatment unresponsiveness [66]. Effusions are bilateral in about half of the patients, with no major predilection for the right or left side [1], and serial chest radiographs often disclose a change from one side to another [50]. Pleural abnormalities are more prevalent than radiographic evidence of interstitial lung disease in other reports [51, 67].…”

“…The pleural fluid is usually exudative, yellow or serosanguineous [42, 50]. Hemothorax, although rare, has also been reported [64, 70].…”

Treatment of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus with Steroids: Report to The Medical Research Council by The Collagen Diseases and Hypersensitivity Panel

“…studied by E. G. L. Bywaters and W. Bauer (1939, not published), the personal experience of members of the Collagen Diseases Panel, and a study of the literature. (Shearn and Pirofsky, 1952;Jessar, Lamont-Havers, and Ragan, 1953;Harvey et al, 1954;Dubois, 1956) shows a similar incidence of joint symptoms, fever, rash, and the L.E. cell phenomenon.…”