Coexisting systemic lupus erythematosus and sickle cell disease: Case report and literature review

Objective

To report a case of coexisting systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and sickle cell disease (SCD) with a review of the literature on the topic.

Methodology

Case report and literature review of the association between SLE and SCD through scientific articles in health sciences databases, such as LILACS, MEDLINE/Pubmed and Scielo, until May 2012. Descriptors used: 1. Sickle cell anemia; 2. Sickle cell disease; 3. Systemic lupus erythematosus; 4. Hemoglobinopathies.

Results

The authors describe an association between SLE and SS hemoglobinopathy in an eight-year-old female patient presentingarticular, hematologic and neuropsychiatric manifestations during clinical evolution. Forty-five cases of association between SLE and SCD are described in literature, mostly adults (62.2%), women (78%) and with the SS phenotype in 78% of the cases, and diverse clinical manifestations. Compared with our patient, articular, hematologic and neuropsychiatric manifestations were present in 76%, 36% and 27% of the cases, respectively.

Conclusion

SLE and SCD are chronic diseases that have several clinical and laboratory findings in common, meaning difficult diagnosis and difficulty in finding the correct treatment. Although the association between these diseases is not common, it is described in literature, so it is imperative that physicians who treat such diseases be alert to this possibility.

Sickle cell anemia; Sickle cell disease; Systemic lupus erythematosus; Hemoglobinopathies