An atypical case of systemic lupus erythematosus in a male over 50

Abstract

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic systemic autoimmune disease with unknown etiology that affects connective tissue and blood vessels. It develops due to imperfect immunoregulatory processes. A clinical case of SLE in a male patient aged over 50 will be presented. This condition is rare, with 2-20% of cases occurring in this age group. The prognosis for SLE in elderly patients is often unfavorable, as it can lead to damage to the nervous system and the development of neuropsychiatric disorders. This can be complicated by acute cerebral circulatory disorders, dyslipidemia, and diabetes.In men with SLE, serositis, thrombosis, cytopenia, and high titer of antibodies to phospholipids occur with high frequency. The atypical onset of the disease, incomplete compliance with diagnostic criteria, and insufficient awareness among doctors about the possibility of developing SLE in older people and, especially, males, were the reasons for the late diagnosis in the clinical case presented by us. In such cases, an interdisciplinary approach and collaboration of doctors of various specialties using all available laboratory and instrumental examination methods are reasonable for earlier diagnosis.