Patient with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Combined with Erosive Arthritis was Treated Successfully with Tocilizumab: A Case Report.
10.4078/jrd.2018.25.2.144
- Author:
Moon Young KIM
1
;
Sunghoon PARK
;
Chang Hee SUH
;
Ju Yang JUNG
;
Hyoun Ah KIM
Author Information
1. Department of Rheumatology, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Korea. nakhada@naver.com
- Publication Type:Case Report
- Keywords:
Systemic lupus erythematosus;
Arthritis;
Interleukin-6 inhibitor;
Interleukin-6
- MeSH:
Arthritis*;
Female;
Humans;
Interleukin-6;
Interleukins;
Joints;
Knee;
Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic*;
Wrist;
Young Adult
- From:Journal of Rheumatic Diseases
2018;25(2):144-147
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a systemic autoimmune inflammatory disease that frequently involves the joints at some stage during the disease course. Although lupus arthritis is usually non-erosive, approximately 5% of patients develop erosions. This paper reports a patient with SLE combined with erosive arthritis, who was treated successfully with tocilizumab. A 20-year-old female, who was first diagnosed with SLE at the age of 13 years, had been admitted frequently to hospital with disease flare-ups during the previous 3 years. Despite aggressive treatment, her arthritis became aggravated, particularly in both wrists and the right knee. Radiologically, erosive arthritis was noted in the wrists.The serum interleukin (IL)-6 level was elevated significantly along with the other inflammatory markers. After the tocilizumab treatment, the arthritis subsided with a normalization of the IL-6 level, suggesting that tocilizumab may be a suitable treatment for lupus erosive arthritis if the IL-6 level is high.
