Coexistence of Lupus Nephritis, Ulcerative Colitis, and Communicating Hydrocephalus: A Report of a 21-Year-Old Male

Abstract

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and ulcerative colitis (UC) are multisystem autoimmune disorders that rarely coexist. We report a case history of a 21-year-old male, presenting with bloody diarrhea and, later, diagnosed to have ulcerative colitis on colonic biopsy. There was clinically silent renal impairment leading to end-stage kidney disease requiring hemodialysis possibly secondary to ongoing lupus nephritis as suggested by positive lupus-specific antibodies’ detection. Besides this, the diagnosis of lupus associated with early communicating hydrocephalus was made on CT brain findings which clinically responded well to the initiation of immunosuppressive therapy. It is imperative to keep in mind the remote possibility of ulcerative colitis in an SLE patient with gastrointestinal (GI) manifestations. Communicating hydrocephalus is a rare neurological manifestation of SLE leading to seizures and can respond well to the initiation of steroids and immunosuppressants. Therefore, a trial of immunosuppressant medications must be given even in a patient with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) to halter extra renal rare lupus manifestations.

Refractory autoimmune hemolytic anemia in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus and ulcerative colitis: A case report

“…There are no reports of UC with SLE in China, but six cases of SLE with UC have been reported in China. There are sporadic reports from abroad of preceding SLE with later UC development; there are also cases of preceding UC with later SLE development[ 6 , 7 ]. The combination of these two diseases is likely related to the presence of immune and genetic defects in the pathogenesis of both diseases.…”

Concurrent Hydrocephalus and Ulcerative Colitis: Exploring the Role of IL18: A Case Report

“…While hydrocephalus as a standalone condition is common, its co-occurrence with ulcerative colitis is exceptionally rare, warranting specialized attention due to the potential shared pathophysiology between the two conditions. Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) encompasses Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, constituting a recurrent inflammatory autoimmune disorder affecting the gastrointestinal mucosa [4]. The incidence of pediatric ulcerative colitis is estimated at 2 to 11 per 100,000 children per year, with a median age of diagnosis at 10 years [5,6].…”