Epigastric pain and jaundice as initial presentation in patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE): A case series in a tertiary hospital

ABSTRACT

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is a multi-systemic autoimmune disorder. Fifty percent will have gastro- intestinal symptoms and 1 to 4% have jaundice.Two Filipino adolescents with uncommon presentation of SLE are reported: a 14-year old female with intermittent epigastric pain and a 17-year-old male with jaundice. Epigastric pain and jaundice are uncommon presentations in patients with SLE. A high index of suspicion is needed and SLE must be considered in the presence of other clinical and immunologic features.Key Words: lupus, jaundice, epigastric pain