Abstract
Bone destructins in the wrist and MCP joints were observed in two patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) 6 and 10 years after the onset of the disease, respectively. They fulfilled the diagnostic criteria for both SLE and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) by American Rheumatism Association. However, joint involvements were restricted to the hands and fingers only, so that the disease activities as RA were low. SLE was also mild, being controlled by prednisolone of less than 30mg daily. The clinical course, therefore, has been favorable without renal dysfunction or apparent hypocomplementemia. These facts suggest that SLE with destructive arthritis may be not simply the overlap of SLE and RA.
