Plasmafiltration and Synchronized cyclophosphamide therapy in SLE with aplastic anemia

Abstract

Systemic lupus erythematosus(SLE) is a multisystemic autoimmune disease. In rare case, aplastic anemia can develop as a complication of SLE. We report a case of SLE patient with aplastic anemia and nephrotic syndrome. A 33-year-old woman was admitted because of gum bleeding. After laboratory work up including bone marrow biopsy study, she was diagnosed as SLE with aplastic anemia and nephrotic syndrome. The patient was initially treated with high= dose steroid pulse therapy. However the patient did not responded to high dose steroid treatment. We treated the patient with plasma filtration and synchronized cyclophosphamide thrapy followed by monthly intravenous cyclophosphamide treatment. Complete clinical remission of hematologic and renal complications was achieved in this patient. We suggest that plasma filtration and synchronized cyclophosphamide therapy might be one of efffectie treatment modality in the management of severe SLE patient.