Lupus Cerebritis as the Initial Presentation of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus in a Young Female

Abstract

The psychiatric and neurological symptoms of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) are referred to as lupus cerebritis. The wide range of symptoms associated with SLE can pose a diagnostic challenge. We present a case of lupus cerebritis in a 31-year-old female presenting with psychosis. We present this case to increase awareness of the psychiatric manifestations of SLE that can be mistaken for more common etiologies of psychosis.

Lupus Cerebritis as a Rare Neuropsychiatric Manifestation of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

“…Lupus cerebritis is a rare neuropsychiatric manifestation of SLE which can present with seizures, altered mental status, headache, anxiety, depression, psychosis, and pseudodementia [ 8 ]. It is a diagnosis of exclusion with complex etiology that could be attributable to various factors such as infections, drug use, brain abnormalities, and metabolic dysfunction [ 8 ]. Our patient also has an ongoing history of depression and anxiety.…”