Summary
Enteric protein loss resulting in profound hypoalbuminemia and anasarca is an uncommon manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus and only rarely is the initial presentation of disease. A few patients with SLE and protein-losing enteropathy in the absence of increased central venous pressure or intestinal lymphangiectasia have been reported. We describe the utility alpha-1-antitrypsin clearance in stool for diagnosing and monitoring enteric protein loss during successful immunosuppressive drug therapy in a patient who presented with massive enteric protein loss as the initial manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus.
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Benner, K.G., Montanaro, A. Protein-losing enteropathy in systemic lupus erythematosus. Digest Dis Sci 34, 132–135 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01536168
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01536168