Early diagnosis of ureterohydronephrosis in systemic lupus erythematosus / 中华风湿病学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To improve the ability of rheumatologist to diagnose systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) complicated with ureterohydronephrosis by analyzing the characteristics of clinical manifestations.Methods Patients with ureterohydronephrosis hospitalized in Peking Union Medical College Hospital between 2000 to 2008 were analyzed retrospectively. The clinical characteristics, serological findings, treatment and prognosis of these patients were reviewed. Comparisons between the groups were performed with X2 test and t-test. Results SLE patient with ureterohydronephrosis accounted for 1.26% of the SLE patients hospitalized in the same period. Twenty-eight patients presented with gastrointestinal symptoms, 14 patients suffered from bladder irritative symptoms. Nineteen patients were with bilateral ureterohydronephrosis, and 8 patients were with unilateral ureterohydronephrosis. Fourteen patients had stype positive ANA, 14 patients had positive antiSSA antibodies. All patients were treated with steroid and immune suppressive therapy, 11 patients were cured, while 3 patients had no improvement. Conclusion Ureterohydronephrosis isn't a very rare complication of SLE. SLE patients with ureterohydronephrosis often present with gastrointestinal symptoms and have high incidence of chronic intestinal pseudo obstruction. High ratio of stype ANA antibody and high positive rate of anti-SSA are most important characteristics in this subtype of SLE patients. The complications can be reversed if the patients are treated early and appropritaely.