Psychosis in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus—a Brief Review and Case Report

Although considerable knowledge regarding the clinical and serological abnormalities associated with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is available, the eiiology of this disorder is not yet clear. However, there is ample evidence to suggest that immunological mechanisms of tissue injury are important in its Pathogenesis. The prevalence of SLE is 2-3 per 100,000, and the disorder is 9 times more frequent in women than in men, occurring usually between the second and fifth decades of life. The clinical presentation and course of SLE are variable but amongst the commonest abnormalities reported are arthiritis and arthralgia (92%), fever (84%), skin eruptions (72%), lymphadenopathy (59%), renal-involvement (53%), anorexia, nausea, vomiting (53%) myalgia (48%), pleuritis (45%) and central nervous system abnormalities (26%). The arthritis and arthralgia are fleeting and involve the hand and feet but deformities are rare. Classical cutaneous manifestations include a malar rash with a butterfly distribution, patchy alopecia, lupus hairs and ulceration / of the mucous membranes of mouth and nose. Involvement of the CNS and kidneys is usually associated with a poorer prognosis. Biochemical abnormalities include anaemia, leukopaenia, thrombocytopaenia, positive direct Coomb's test, presence of antinuclear antibodies (ANA), L. E. Cell, hypo-complementaemia, hyper gamaglobulinaemia, positive rheumatoid factors and biologic false posti^e Wasserman Reaction.