Eight cases of systemic lupus erythematosus who had been admitted to Severance
Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, during the last 10 years, were analysed
especially concering their clinical manifestation ; symptoms, physical signs and
laboratory findings.
The diagnoses were based on positive L.E. tests, skin biopsies and clinical findings.
Six cases were female, arid the age of 5 cases ranged between 15 to 40 years. Rash(8
cases), fever :7 cases), general weakness (6 cases), anorexia (6 cases) and edema (5
cases) were the most common complaints.
Five cases had butterfly like erythema on the face and the other 3 cases showed
erythematous papules or vesicles scattered on various portions of body, The abnormal
physical signs besides of erythematous eruption found on the time of their admissions
were hepatomegaly (4 cases), Pedal edema(3 cases), Puffiness of face(3 cases) and
erosion of mucous membrane(3 cases). Moist rales of the chest and precordial friction
rub could be heard in a case and Pleural effusion was detected in another case.
The anemia(Hgb. level less than 10 gm/dl) was present in all cases. Positive direct
Coomb's test was found in one case among 4 cases tested, but the active hemolytic
process was not clearly demostrated in the case. Three of the 8 cases showed
leukopenia while the other 3 cases showed moderate leukocytosis.
Varying degree of protein and microscopic abnormalities were found in the urine of 6
cases. The level of NPN, however, was definitely elevated in only one case who expired
on her 9th hospital day, The A/G ratio in serum protein showed reversed in 4 of 7
cases and the definite increase of gamma globulin was demonstrated in 2 by among 3
cases the electrophoresis S.T.S. were performed in 4: cases and one case gave positive
reaction for V.D.R.L. and R.P.C.F., which might be from congenital syphilis considering
the same reaction of her father.
The E.S.R. was elevated more than 25mm/hr. in 3 of 6 cases and the thymol turbidity
was elevated in all rases tested. The L.E. preparations were made with peripheral
venous blood of 6 cases and 5 cases gave positive L.E. cell phenomena.
In two cases of our series who died during hospitalization one was in uremic state
and the other was not on steroid. Remaining cases showed considerable improvement of
their symptoms, physical signs and laboratory findings.
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