Systemic lupus erythematosus associated with vasculitic syndrome (Takayasu’s arteritis)

Abstract

A 43-year-old woman reported pain in the right hypochondrium, which had started 3 years before and had been worsening for the past few days. Claudication in the superior and inferior limbs, diffuse myalgia, dyspnea, precordialgia followed by dizziness and visual turbidity were added to the clinical picture. In the physical examination bilateral carotid bruit was observed, abdominal aorta murmur and the decrease of the right radial and left pedis pulses and arterial hypertension with difference in the diastolic pressure between limbs >10 mmHg was also observed. On cardiac catheterisation with aortography, right coronary with proximal parietal irregularities, slight pressure increase in right chambers and pulmonary artery, preserved left ventricle contractility, competent valves, carotid and subclavian partial obstruction, severe narrowing of the abdominal aorta below the diaphragm (80%) and right renal artery significant stenosis were observed. Takayasu's arteritis (TA) diagnosis was established according to the ACR criteria based on the clinical symptomatology, on physical and image test findings. Two years later she presented malar rash, photosensitivity, nephropathy, leukopenia, lymphopenia and hemolytic anemia confirming the systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) diagnosis. TA coexisting with SLE has rarely been reported.

Late Onset Takayasu Arteritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis

“…The fact that associations with various autoimmune disorders have been described, such as SLE or systemic sclerosis, supports this theory [6, 7]. …”

Takayasu's arteritis and liver transplantation: Association and implications

“…TA has been reported in association with other autoimmune disorders such as Crohn's disease,[ 4 ] SLE,[ 5 ] sarcoidosis, and spondyloarthropathies, either as the primary disease or secondary to an existing autoimmune disorder. [ 6 ]…”

Takayasu’s Arteritis- A Review

“…51,54 Some autoimmune conditions such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), temporal arteritis, Cogan syndrome and Behçet's disease are associated with large vessel vasculitis and may present with the features like those of TA. 55 However, these conditions have their own specific features differentiating them from TA. Sarcoidosis is also associated with stenotic heart leasions but it can be excluded with the evidence of its characteristic features of skin lesions, hilar adenopathy and Bell's palsy.…”

“…Sarcoidosis is also associated with stenotic heart leasions but it can be excluded with the evidence of its characteristic features of skin lesions, hilar adenopathy and Bell's palsy. [51][52][53][54][55][56]…”