Systemic Lupus Erythematosus in a Patient with Ulcerative Colitis: Co-Existing or Drug-Induced?

Abstract

We report a 49-year-old lady with ulcerative colitis (UC) who subsequently developed systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) ten years later. By reviewing the drug history and serum autoimmune panel, we hypothesize that systemic lupus erythematosus may occur in a patient with a history of inflammatory bowel disease as a coexisting disease, or triggered by drugs used in inflammatory bowel disease, such as disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs). This case raises the discussion that patients with Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) may have a genetic predisposition for developing other autoimmune diseases, and explores the possibility of drugs used in the treatment of IBD as a trigger for SLE development. Being able to differentiate the two has important implications in management and prognosis.