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Coroidopatia no lúpus eritematoso sistêmico

Choroidopathy in systemic lupus erythematosus

Resumo

O Lúpus Eritematoso sistêmico (LES) é uma doença autoimune que pode afetar o olho de diversas formas. A coroidopatia lúpica é rara e apresenta-se com descolamento seroso de retina, descolamento do epitélio pigmentar da retina (EPR) e epiteliopatia pigmentar. A maioria dos casos está associada à atividade sistêmica da doença, podendo ser considerada um fator de gravidade e necessidade de imunossupressão intensa. Geralmente apresenta bom prognóstico visual com o tratamento adequado do LES, apesar de alguns casos evoluírem com danos irreversíveis na retina externa e EPR. Descrevemos um caso de coroidopatia secundaria ao LES com atividade multisistêmica com boa evolução após tratamento clínico com imunossupressão sistêmica.

Descritores:
Lúpus eritematoso sistêmico; Descolamento de retina; Epítelio pigmentado da retina; Coróide; Angiofluoresceinografia; Relatos de caso

Abstract

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease in which can affect the eye in different ways. Lupus choroidopathy is rare and include retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) detachment and/or serous retinal detachment and pigment epitheliopathy. Most cases are associated with systemic disease activity and can be considered a factor of gravity and need for intense immunosuppression. Usually has good visual prognosis with proper treatment of SLE, although some cases may have irreversible damage to the outer retina and RPE. We describe a case of choroidopathy secondary to SLE during its multisystem activity with good clinical outcome after treatment with systemic immunosuppression.

Keywords:
Systemic lupus erythematosus; Retinal detachment; Retinal pigment epithelium; Choroid; Fluorescein angiography; Case reports

Introduction

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease which can affect many organs, including the eyes.(11 Klejnberg T, Moraes Junior HV. Alterações oculares nos pacientes portadores de lúpus eritematoso sistêmico em acompanhamento ambulatorial. Arq Bras Oftalmol. 2006;69(2):233-7.,22 Palejwala NV, Walia HS, Yeh S. Ocular manifestations of systemic lupus erythematosus: a review of the literature. Autoimmune Dis. 2012;2012:290898.doi:10.1155/2012/290898.
https://doi.org/10.1155/2012/290898...
) Ocular involvement occurs in about 30% of cases and may affect eyelids, cornea, retina and also the optic nerve.(22 Palejwala NV, Walia HS, Yeh S. Ocular manifestations of systemic lupus erythematosus: a review of the literature. Autoimmune Dis. 2012;2012:290898.doi:10.1155/2012/290898.
https://doi.org/10.1155/2012/290898...
,33 EL-Shereef RR, Mohamed AS, Hamdy L. Ocular manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus. Rheumatol Int. 2013;33(6):1637-42.) Choroidopathy with neurosensory retinal detachment is rare and usually occurs in patients with severe or hypertensive disease.(44 Gharbiya M, Bozzoni-Pantaleoni F, Augello F, Balacco-Gabrieli C. Indocyanine green angiographic findings in systemic lupus erythematosus choroidopathy. Am J Ophthalmol. 2002;134(2):286-90.) Although lupus choroidopathy usually present with good prognosis, irreversible vision loss can occur.(22 Palejwala NV, Walia HS, Yeh S. Ocular manifestations of systemic lupus erythematosus: a review of the literature. Autoimmune Dis. 2012;2012:290898.doi:10.1155/2012/290898.
https://doi.org/10.1155/2012/290898...
) We present a case of SLE choroidopathy (a rare manifestation), that developed serous retinal detachment (RSD) and pigmentary changes of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). A good communication between the ophthalmologist and the rheumatologist; quickly, appropriate and intensive systemic treatment were conditions for a good prognosis.

Case report

Female, 22 year-old, in hospital treatment for SLE in cutaneous, articular, renal, hematologic and neurologic unset; complained about low visual acuity (VA): counting fingers in both eyes (OU). Negatives serology, FAN (homogeneous nuclear pattern 1/1280), rheumatoid factor, anti-DNA (1/320), ANCA, anti-Ro and anti-La antibodies positive, full complement and C2 decreased, increased ESR and CRP. The patient was treated with intravenous high-dose corticosteroids and cyclophosphamide, with systemic and ocular disease improvement. After discharge, presented VA was 20/200 in the right eye (OD) and 20/50 in the left eye (OS), normal biomicroscopy and intraocular pressure OU. The fundus exam showed mild hyperemic and swollen optic disc, SRD in periphery, hyper and hypopigmentation areas of the RPE and vascular attenuation OU. (Figure 1 A and B) Fluorescein angiography showed areas of hyper and hypofluorescence by RPE mottling and areas of poor peripheral perfusion OU and hyperfluorescence by leakage in the optical disc in left eye. After systemic treatment (oral corticosteroids at 1 mg/kg/day and immunosuppression with monthly cyclophosphamide pulses) there was ocular improvement. Fundoscopy showed normal disk, regression of SRD and of poor perfusion areas and accentuated RPE hyper and hipopigmentations. (Figure A and B). VA improved to 20/25 OU after 8 months. Currently the patient is in use of azathioprine 150mg/kg/day for systemic control.

Figure 1 A and B
Retinography of the right and left eye respectively showing mild hyperemic optic disc, serous retinal detachment in the periphery, hyper and hypopigmentation areas of RPE and vascular attenuation.

Figure 2 A and B
Retinography of the right and left eye respectively showing normal optic disk, accentuated hyper and hypopigmentation areas of the RPE and normal vessels

Discussion

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a multisystem chronic inflammatory disease of unknown cause and usually affect young women.(11 Klejnberg T, Moraes Junior HV. Alterações oculares nos pacientes portadores de lúpus eritematoso sistêmico em acompanhamento ambulatorial. Arq Bras Oftalmol. 2006;69(2):233-7.,22 Palejwala NV, Walia HS, Yeh S. Ocular manifestations of systemic lupus erythematosus: a review of the literature. Autoimmune Dis. 2012;2012:290898.doi:10.1155/2012/290898.
https://doi.org/10.1155/2012/290898...
) Tissues and cells are affected by autoantibodies and pathogenic immune complexes causing vasculitis, occlusion of small vessels and multiple organ dysfunction. Ocular involvement occurs in about a third of cases involving lid (mucocutaneous disease), keratoconjunctivitis sicca, retinal vascular disease and affecting the optic nerve.(22 Palejwala NV, Walia HS, Yeh S. Ocular manifestations of systemic lupus erythematosus: a review of the literature. Autoimmune Dis. 2012;2012:290898.doi:10.1155/2012/290898.
https://doi.org/10.1155/2012/290898...
,33 EL-Shereef RR, Mohamed AS, Hamdy L. Ocular manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus. Rheumatol Int. 2013;33(6):1637-42.)

Lupus choroidopathy with exudative retinal detachment is a rare ocular manifestation, with less than 40 cases reported in scientific literature until 2012.(22 Palejwala NV, Walia HS, Yeh S. Ocular manifestations of systemic lupus erythematosus: a review of the literature. Autoimmune Dis. 2012;2012:290898.doi:10.1155/2012/290898.
https://doi.org/10.1155/2012/290898...
) Affects mainly women, 68% bilateral and may be associated with lupus retinopathy.(55 Edouard S, Douat J, Sailler L, Arlet P, Astudillo L. Bilateral choroidopathy in systemic lupus erythematosus. Lupus. 2011; 20(11):1209-10.,66 Silpa-archa S, Lee JJ, Foster CS. Ocular manifestations in systemic lupus erythematosus. Br J Ophthalmol. 2016;100(1):135-41.) The pathogenesis is multifactorial, although uncontrolled hypertension, immune complex deposits in the choriocapillaris and anti-retinal pigment epithelium antibodies may contribute to its development.(22 Palejwala NV, Walia HS, Yeh S. Ocular manifestations of systemic lupus erythematosus: a review of the literature. Autoimmune Dis. 2012;2012:290898.doi:10.1155/2012/290898.
https://doi.org/10.1155/2012/290898...
) Our patient started ocular unset during acute phase of SLE at 22 years of age, with involvement of different organs. She initially presented cutaneous, articular, renal, hematologic and neurologic activity including hypertension, therefore, featuring important risk factors for lupus choroidopathy development. The most common clinical manifestations of lupus choroidopathy include exudative retinal detachment (36%), RPE detachment (32%) and retinal pigment epitheliopathy (21%).(66 Silpa-archa S, Lee JJ, Foster CS. Ocular manifestations in systemic lupus erythematosus. Br J Ophthalmol. 2016;100(1):135-41.) In our case, there was not retinal pigment epithelium detachment, however the other main manifestations were present. Initially, the serous retinal detachment was bigger, but it disappeared during systemic treatment and the associated retinal pigment epitheliopathy became easier to be seen. Choroidal ischemia may also be present, manifesting as subretinianal hypopigmented spots and ischemia areas on fluorescein angiography.(66 Silpa-archa S, Lee JJ, Foster CS. Ocular manifestations in systemic lupus erythematosus. Br J Ophthalmol. 2016;100(1):135-41.)

Imaging tests are important for evaluation and monitoring choroid and retina diseases secondary to SLE.(66 Silpa-archa S, Lee JJ, Foster CS. Ocular manifestations in systemic lupus erythematosus. Br J Ophthalmol. 2016;100(1):135-41.) Fluorescein angiography helps to identify optic nerve inflammation, retinal vascular disease, retinal ischemia, macular edema and search of subclinical signs. In our case, fluorescein angiography was important to verify RPE lesions, poor peripheral perfusion areas and its improvement after treatment. Green indocyanine evaluates the choroidal vasculature and can identify choroidopathy not seen in angiofluoresceinographic examination.(66 Silpa-archa S, Lee JJ, Foster CS. Ocular manifestations in systemic lupus erythematosus. Br J Ophthalmol. 2016;100(1):135-41.) Optical coherence tomography allows non-invasive structural, intra and subretinal fluid and detachment of the retinal pigment epithelium evaluation.(66 Silpa-archa S, Lee JJ, Foster CS. Ocular manifestations in systemic lupus erythematosus. Br J Ophthalmol. 2016;100(1):135-41.,77 Ozturk B, Bozkurt B, Karademir Z, Kerimoglu H. Follow-up of lupus choroidopathy with optical coherence tomography. Lupus. 2011;20(10):1076-8.)

Lupus choroidopathy is usually seen in patients with active disease, especially central nervous system vasculitis, nephropathy and uncontrolled blood pressure. It has been considered as a systemic disease activity score.(22 Palejwala NV, Walia HS, Yeh S. Ocular manifestations of systemic lupus erythematosus: a review of the literature. Autoimmune Dis. 2012;2012:290898.doi:10.1155/2012/290898.
https://doi.org/10.1155/2012/290898...
,55 Edouard S, Douat J, Sailler L, Arlet P, Astudillo L. Bilateral choroidopathy in systemic lupus erythematosus. Lupus. 2011; 20(11):1209-10.,88 Nguyen QD, Uy HS, Akpek EK, Harper SL, Zacks DN, Foster CS. Choroidopathy of systemic lupus erythematosus. Lupus. 2000;9(4):288-98.) The presence of choroidopathy is an indication of the need for aggressive and prolonged immunosuppression.(22 Palejwala NV, Walia HS, Yeh S. Ocular manifestations of systemic lupus erythematosus: a review of the literature. Autoimmune Dis. 2012;2012:290898.doi:10.1155/2012/290898.
https://doi.org/10.1155/2012/290898...
,88 Nguyen QD, Uy HS, Akpek EK, Harper SL, Zacks DN, Foster CS. Choroidopathy of systemic lupus erythematosus. Lupus. 2000;9(4):288-98.) Our case accords to the scientific literature, showing severe systemic involvement during lupus choroidopathy manifestation, as well as the importance of intensive immunosuppressive treatment. Ocular therapy such as focal laser photocoagulation or photo-dynamic therapy (PDT), may be instituted when there is insufficient systemic diseases control and poor resolution for lupus coroidopathy with immunosuppression therapy, particularly in acute phase.(99 Cho HY, Nasir HH, Sobrin L. Focal laser photocoagulation and photodynamic therapy for lupus choroidopathy. Lupus. 2014;23(4):412-6.) Late ocular interventions may not improve significantly vision due to prior damage to the RPE and photoreceptors, despite intra and subretinal fluid improvement.(99 Cho HY, Nasir HH, Sobrin L. Focal laser photocoagulation and photodynamic therapy for lupus choroidopathy. Lupus. 2014;23(4):412-6.) As in most cases, there was resolution of the lupus choroidopathy with immediate and appropriate systemic treatment in our patient, who developed good visual acuity despite persistent and significant pigment changes in fundus OU.

Conclusion

Retinopathy and choroidopathy are SLE manifestations, especially during its active phase. Lupus choroidopathy is an indicator of severity and the patient may present poor ocular and systemic prognosis if not correctly treated. Therefore, good communication between the ophthalmologist and the rheumatologist is indispensable for the management and treatment of these patients.

References

  • 1
    Klejnberg T, Moraes Junior HV. Alterações oculares nos pacientes portadores de lúpus eritematoso sistêmico em acompanhamento ambulatorial. Arq Bras Oftalmol. 2006;69(2):233-7.
  • 2
    Palejwala NV, Walia HS, Yeh S. Ocular manifestations of systemic lupus erythematosus: a review of the literature. Autoimmune Dis. 2012;2012:290898.doi:10.1155/2012/290898.
    » https://doi.org/10.1155/2012/290898
  • 3
    EL-Shereef RR, Mohamed AS, Hamdy L. Ocular manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus. Rheumatol Int. 2013;33(6):1637-42.
  • 4
    Gharbiya M, Bozzoni-Pantaleoni F, Augello F, Balacco-Gabrieli C. Indocyanine green angiographic findings in systemic lupus erythematosus choroidopathy. Am J Ophthalmol. 2002;134(2):286-90.
  • 5
    Edouard S, Douat J, Sailler L, Arlet P, Astudillo L. Bilateral choroidopathy in systemic lupus erythematosus. Lupus. 2011; 20(11):1209-10.
  • 6
    Silpa-archa S, Lee JJ, Foster CS. Ocular manifestations in systemic lupus erythematosus. Br J Ophthalmol. 2016;100(1):135-41.
  • 7
    Ozturk B, Bozkurt B, Karademir Z, Kerimoglu H. Follow-up of lupus choroidopathy with optical coherence tomography. Lupus. 2011;20(10):1076-8.
  • 8
    Nguyen QD, Uy HS, Akpek EK, Harper SL, Zacks DN, Foster CS. Choroidopathy of systemic lupus erythematosus. Lupus. 2000;9(4):288-98.
  • 9
    Cho HY, Nasir HH, Sobrin L. Focal laser photocoagulation and photodynamic therapy for lupus choroidopathy. Lupus. 2014;23(4):412-6.

Datas de Publicação

  • Publicação nesta coleção
    Mar-Apr 2017

Histórico

  • Recebido
    08 Jun 2016
  • Aceito
    28 Ago 2016
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