Comparison between Japanese and non-Japanese features of lupus cystitis based on case reports including novel therapy and a literature review

Ureteritis associated with systemic lupus erythematosus: a case report

We report herein an unusual case of systemic lupus erythematosus in a 35-year-old woman who developed acute abdominal pain while hospitalized. Abdominal computed tomography (CT) scan with enhancement indicated long-segment inflammatory lesions in the right ureter. The patient received spasmolytic and analgesic drugs with poor effect and continued to have persistent severe abdominal pain and signs of peritonitis. We suspected that the patient had acute abdominal disease, but no abnormality was detected during laparoscopic surgery. Therefore, we considered the possibility of right upper urinary tract hydronephrosis; the patient’s abdominal pain was relieved after double-J tube implantation. The patient’s clinical symptoms improved after hormone and mycophenolate mofetil therapy for 1 year, and all laboratory indicators returned to normal. Reexamination by abdominal CT showed that the long-segment inflammatory lesions of the right ureter had resolved. Early identification and diagnosis are important for ureteritis associated with systemic lupus erythematosus.

Very Severe and Refractory Noninfectious Cystitis in Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: Potential Role of Rituximab Therapy

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease with various clinical manifestations, including, rarely, a form of interstitial cystitis (lupus cystitis, LC). LC can be asymptomatic and usually has discrete symptoms that improve with conventional therapies available for SLE and/or typical interstitial cystitis. A very severe and refractory form is rarely described. In this study, we present four patients with SLE and a very severe form of noninfectious cystitis refractory to the different forms of treatment described. The clinical descriptions of the cases, demographic factors, manifestations associated with SLE, and clinical and paraclinical manifestations related to cystitis, treatments, and outcomes are provided. A proposal for the pathogenesis of this condition is based on the common findings of these patients, including the fact that three were in SLE remission and all four receiving rituximab as induction and/or maintenance therapy.

Lupus cystitis: unusual cause of renal failure in systemic lupus erythematosus

A 42-year-old woman presented with chronic fever, abdominal pain, intermittent loose stools and dysuria for 3 months. She had recently developed acute dyspnoea with acute kidney injury. She was found to have a contracted, thick-walled bladder with bilateral hydroureteronephrosis. She underwent bilateral percutaneous nephrostomies, following which her renal function recovered. She satisfied the clinical and immunological features of the Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics criteria for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). She was initiated on immunosuppression. Lupus cystitis with a contracted bladder is an uncommon presentation of SLE.

Asymptomatic Lupus Cystitis with Bilateral Hydronephrosis

Lupus cystitis is a rare complication of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). It is characterized by an increase in bladder wall thickness and may be associated with hydroureteronephrosis. Reports, mostly from East Asian countries, indicate that lupus cystitis usually presents with gastrointestinal tract symptoms such as diarrhea, nausea, or abdominal pain. Lower urinarytract symptoms such as dysuria, nocturia, polyuria, and suprapubic pain are also common presenting symptoms. We report a 22-year-old female patient who presented at Cipto Mangunkusumo Teaching Hospital in Indonesia, with profuse and prolonged vaginal bleeding without any other accompanying symptoms. She had a history of polyarthralgias, fever, bleeding gums, anemia, and thrombocytopenia 3 months earlier. Abdominal ultrasound examination revealed bilateral hydronephrosis and a thickened bladder wall; the other organs were normal. Laboratory examination confirmed the diagnosis of SLE complicated by lupus nephritis and lupus cystitis. The patient responded well to the treatment with methylprednisolone. The vaginal bleeding stopped within 2 days, and the laboratory parameters improved. She was discharged on oral methylprednisolone and is scheduled for detailed workup after 1 month.

Systemic lupus erythematosus of the urinary tract: focus on lupus cystitis

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) frequently manifests as urinary tract disease, most commonly in the form of lupus nephritis. Bladder involvement in the disease course takes a subclinical form and may affect both children and adults. Lupus cystitis can precede SLE diagnosis and may present with very unspecific urinary and digestive tract symptoms or no symptoms at all. The exact mechanism of bladder inflammation in lupus is not fully understood; however, histopathological studies suggest a possible role of immune complex-mediated small vessel vasculitis. Lupus cystitis is a rare SLE manifestation, but poses a challenge for physicians, due to its complex diagnostics and treatment.

Clinical characteristics of lupus enteritis in Japanese patients: the large intestine-dominant type has features of intestinal pseudo-obstruction

This study was performed to investigate the clinical characteristics of lupus enteritis in Japanese patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). A total of 481 patients with SLE admitted to our hospital between 2001 and 2015 were retrospectively reviewed. Diagnosis of lupus enteritis was based on the following three criteria: (1) abdominal symptoms, (2) diffuse long-segment bowel thickening and (3) a requirement for glucocorticoid therapy. Lupus enteritis was identified in 17 patients (3.5%) and there were two distinct types: small intestine-dominant and large intestine-dominant. Significant differences between the two types were noted with respect to the age, frequency of biopsy-proven lupus nephritis, frequency of rectal involvement, maximum bowel wall thickness, and requirement for steroid pulse therapy. Among patients with large intestine-dominant lupus enteritis, 60% had extra-intestinal symptoms (hydroureter, bladder wall thickening, and bile duct dilatation) that are known complications of intestinal pseudo-obstruction. Two patients with large intestine-dominant lupus enteritis developed intestinal pseudo-obstruction either before or after diagnosis of lupus enteritis. Five patients (29%) developed recurrence during a median observation period of 7.2 years (1.4-14.4 years). In conclusion, large intestine-dominant lupus enteritis resembles intestinal pseudo-obstruction and these two diseases may have a common pathogenesis.

Anal incontinence and vesico-sphincter events in systemic sclerosis: An epidemiologic bicentric cohort study

OBJECTIVE

To estimate the frequency and severity of anal incontinence and vesico-sphincter events, associated factors, and impact on the quality of life of patients with systemic sclerosis.

METHODS

Questionnaires assessing anal incontinence (Miller score), vesico-sphincter events (Urogenital Distress Inventory) and quality of life [Short Form Health Survey 36v2 (SF-36), and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale] were mailed to 139 patients with systemic sclerosis at the university hospitals of Besançon and Poitiers, France. Clinical data were collected from the medical records to identify risk factors.

RESULTS

Among the 121 (87%) responders, severe vesico-sphincter events or severe anal incontinence occurred in 3.4% and 12.4% of cases, respectively. Frequent urination (66.3%) and anal incontinence to gas (50.4%) were the most frequent symptoms. Anal incontinence was associated positively with vesico-sphincter events, unrelated to obstetrical factors. No correlations were seen with age, sex, or systemic sclerosis characteristics. In multivariate analysis, moderate or severe vesico-sphincter events was associated with higher anxiety and depression scores and lower SF-36 scores; the same results were observed for anal incontinence, but did not reach significance.

CONCLUSION

Vesico-sphincter events and anal incontinence are common in systemic sclerosis, and sometimes severe, with a potential negative impact in quality of life. These results will be confirmed by a case-control study with dynamic and manometric assessment, and could legitimate a systematic screening to ensure early therapy and multidisciplinary individual management.

Lupus cystitis in Korean patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: risk factors and clinical outcomes

This study was performed to investigate the clinical characteristics of lupus cystitis and determine the risk factors and clinical outcomes of lupus cystitis in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We retrospectively reviewed 1064 patients at Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital in Seoul, Korea, from 1998 to 2013. Twenty-four patients had lupus cystitis. Lupus cystitis was defined as unexplained ureteritis and/or cystitis as detected by imaging studies, cystoscopy, or bladder histopathology without urinary microorganisms or stones. Three-fourths of patients with lupus cystitis had concurrent lupus mesenteric vasculitis (LMV). The initial symptoms were gastrointestinal in nature for most patients (79.2%). High-dose methylprednisolone was initially administered to most patients (91.7%) with lupus cystitis. Two patients (8.3%) died of urinary tract infections. Sixty-five age- and sex-matched patients with SLE who were admitted with other manifestations were included as the control group. Patients with lupus cystitis showed a lower C3 level ( p = 0.031), higher SLE Disease Activity Index score ( p = 0.006), and higher ESR ( p = 0.05) upon admission; more frequently had a history of LMV prior to admission ( p < 0.001); and less frequently had a history of neuropsychiatric lupus ( p = 0.031) than did patients with SLE but without lupus cystitis. The occurrence of lupus cystitis was associated with a history of LMV (OR, 21.794; 95% CI, 4.061–116.963). The median follow-up period was 3.4 years, and the cumulative one-year mortality rate was 20%. Complications developed in 33.3% of patients with lupus cystitis and were related to survival (log-rank p = 0.021). Our results suggest that the possibility of lupus cystitis should be considered when a patient with SLE and history of LMV presents with gastrointestinal symptoms or lower urinary tract symptoms. Development of complications in patients with lupus cystitis can be fatal. Thus, intensive treatment and follow-up are needed, especially in the presence of complications.

Low compliance bladder plays a role in hydronephrosis in lupus cystitis: a case report

Lupus cystitis is uncommon in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Lupus cystitis is usually associated with hydronephrosis. To our knowledge, it is considered to be due to distal ureteral obstruction at the ureterovesical junction. However, in a Chinese female, we found low compliance bladder played a role in hydronephrosis.

Cystectomy for obstructive uropathy secondary to lupus cystitis: a learning point for urologists?

We present the case of a 72-year-old woman with obstructive uropathy secondary to interstitial cystitis-like pathology as the presenting features of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). After her initial presentation with visible haematuria, she was shown to have hydroureteronephrosis and a bulky bladder mass. Histology of bladder biopsies demonstrated severe inflammation. Following unsuccessful attempts to stent the ureters, worsening renal function and a concern regarding possible malignancy, a cystectomy and ileal conduit were performed. Final histology showed her bladder had only benign inflammatory changes. Subsequent investigations led to a diagnosis of SLE. We suggest that in cases of obstructive uropathy in association with severe inflammation of the bladder, lupus cystitis should be considered at an early stage and managed with steroids in the first instance. This may lead to resolution of the underlying pathology and thus avoid the need for urinary diversion and cystectomy.

Acute onset of systemic lupus erythematosus with extensive gastrointestinal and genitourinary involvement

Lupus enteritis may occur as an acute presentation of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and is not uncommonly associated with acute uretero-cystitis and/or hydronephrosis. Extensive involvement of the gastrointestinal tract from the stomach to the rectum in acute SLE is uncommon. We describe a 22-year-old Chinese female who presented with acute extensive gastrointestinal and genitourinary involvement who recovered following pulse intravenous methylprednisolone and cyclophosphamide. A high index of clinical suspicion is required to arrive at the diagnosis of SLE where only acute gastrointestinal and genitourinary manifestations are predominant, and other clinical, haematological and biochemical features of SLE are absent.