A Case of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus （SLE） Incidentally Diagnosed by Gingival Bleeding

Abstract

Systemic lupus erythematosus （SLE） is an autoimmune disease characterized by diverse systemic inflammatory lesions. The main oral symptoms are ulceration and bleeding spots. We report here a case of SLE with gingival bleeding as the initial symptom. A woman in her fifties was referred to our department for gingival bleeding and thrombocytopenia was identified. Immune thrombocytopenia （ITP） was suspected, and oral administration of prednisolone （PSL） was performed in combination with platelet transfusion. However, this did not achieve the desired effects. Because additional tests showed increased levels of anti-nuclear antibody and anti-DNA antibody and a positive reaction against urine protein, a diagnosis of SLE was made. Treatment with a higher dose of PSL was effective, and she is being maintained on PSL （0.12mg/kg/day） during follow-up.