POS-534 AUTOIMMUNE PANCREATITIS IN SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS: CASE REPORT

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic, multifaceted autoimmune inflammatory disease with a wide range of clinical presentations resulting from its effect on multiple organ systems. We report a case of SLE associated with autoimmune pancreatitis. Methods: In this study, we present a patient diagnosed as having SLE who developed acute auto-immune pancreatitis. Results: This is a 36-year-old woman, with lupus diagnosed since 2009. Initially, the manifestations of her disease were dermatological and articular. Then appeared the renal involvement with a lupus nephropathy class IV at the renal biopsy (PBR). She was previously treated with the NIH protocol then oral prednisolone with improvement in her symptoms. She continued these medications but was lost to follow-up since 2016 and presented after 6 years with pigmented skin lesions on her upper and lower limbs, abdominal pain and distension, vomiting, and an altered general condition. In biology, the patient presented a functional acute kidney failure, an elevated amylasemia (30 times normal), an elevated lipasemia (6 times normal), a normocytic normochromic hemolytic anemia with positive direct coombs test, lymphopenia, a positive immunological assessment (AAN, anti DNA AC, anti Sm, anti SSA, anti RNP), a low C3, a low C4. The patient presented a lupus flare with a SLEDAI score of 6 points moderate lupus activity. Ultrasound confirmed a large abundance of ascites. Ascites fluid puncture showed an exudate with hyperleukocytosis with predominantly PNN and no germ on direct examination nor on culture.The infectious origin of the pancreatitis was eliminated (CMV, tuberculosis, covid19), as well as the tumoral origin (negative tumor markers, abdominal CT scan showed a swollen pancreas in its caudal portion with loss of physiological lobulations and normal spontaneous density.Necrosis flows difficult to individualize. In addition, no deep neoplastic focus). The autoimmune origin of the pancreatitis due to its lupus attack was retained. She was put on corticosteroids (500mg intravenously for 3 days) then relayed by oral route, albumin infusion, evacuation puncture. The subsequent evolution was marked by the progressive normalization of the pancreatic balance and the slower disappearance of the ascites. Conclusions: Acute pancreatitis is an unusual manifestation of SLE and it should be suspected in any SLE patient with these similar symptoms. In many cases, this complication has been attributed to the drugs administered. In our case, a favorable course of pancreatitis with corticosteroids adds further evidence to the idea that lupus-related pancreatitis is not a side effect of corticosteroid therapy. Moreover, treatment with these medications improves the prognosis. No conflict of interest