Catatonia as a first presentation of systemic lupus erythematosus: A case report

Abstract

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease characterized by multisystemic involvement. Neuropsychiatric manifestations are found in 50-70% of SLE patients. These manifestations include mild cognitive dysfunction, mood disorders, headache, depression, anxiety, seizures, psychosis, acute confusional states, and delirium, to life-threatening coma. Psychiatric symptoms as an initial presentation of SLE are rare and difficult to diagnose. We present the case of a 23-year-old woman, who developed the catatonic syndrome for the first time during hospitalization for lower respiratory tract infection, and she was eventually diagnosed with SLE. Her catatonia responded well to oral corticosteroids, lorazepam, risperidone, and modafinil. This case illustrates the importance of considering medical causes (SLE) in the diagnosis and treatment of the catatonic syndrome. The recognition of SLE as a cause of catatonia is essential for its optimal management.

Keywords

• Catatonia
• diagnosis
• psychiatric manifestations
• systemic lupus erythematosus
• treatment