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Case Reports
. 2023 Dec 7;15(12):e50132.
doi: 10.7759/cureus.50132. eCollection 2023 Dec.

Diagnostic Challenges of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Ana Correia de Sá  1 , Marta Batista  1 , Ana L Ferreira  1 , Daniela Casanova  1 , Bebiana Faria  2 , Jorge Cotter  1
Affiliations
Case Reports

Diagnostic Challenges of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Ana Correia de Sá et al. Cureus. .

Abstract

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a disease characterized by clinical heterogeneity with unpredictable course. Several disease endotypes have been identified, including SLE with antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). We report a case of a pregnant woman with hypertension and proteinuria, diagnosed with APS, Libman-Sacks endocarditis that led to moderate to severe mitral valve insufficiency, and SLE. We describe the diagnostic steps, evolution, and complications. This case highlights the asynchrony behavior of SLE, emphasizing the importance of a multidisciplinary approach to an early diagnosis.

Keywords: antiphospholipid syndrome; hypertension; libman-sacks endocarditis; pre-eclampsia; proteinuria; systemic lupus erythematosus.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Corticosubcortical lesions in brain magnetic resonance angiography (A, B, and C)
Figure 2
Figure 2. Transesophageal echocardiogram images
A, B, and C: Thickened distal ends of the mitral valve leaflets; D: Moderate to severe mitral regurgitation
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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