Gastrointestinal manifestations of systemic lupus erythematosus

Abstract

Gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms are common in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). SLE-related GI symptoms are distributed from the mouth to the anus. Lupus enteritis is one of the most common GI manifestations and defined as either vasculitis or inflammation of the small bowel, with supportive image and/or biopsy findings. Vasculitis also causes lupus colitis. Protein-losing enteropathy is one of the GI manifestations that shows hypoalbuminemia or increased fecal excretion of intravenous radiolabeled albumin. Radiological examination including computed tomography scan, histological analysis, and evaluation of infectious diseases are important to differentiate SLE-related GI symptoms from non-SLE conditions. Most cases of SLE-related GI symptoms respond well to a treatment with high doses of corticosteroids; however, some cases are recurrent and need surgical intervention because of life-threatening complications.