Occult systemic lupus erythematosus in elderly men
A. N. Baer and T. Pincus
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is often not suspected in elderly men
with a debilitating illness, particularly when pleuropericarditis is not
prominent. Five elderly men with SLE were initially seen with a systemic
illness, marked by fever, weight loss, and arthritis. The diagnosis of SLE
was established after considerable delay with extensive diagnostic
evaluations and was supported by the presence of DNA antibodies in four
patients. Treatment with corticosteroids was effective in three patients.
Early testing for DNA antibodies may be cost effective in the evaluation of
the elderly patient with a debilitating illness.
