A SYSTEMATIC LITERATURE REVIEW OF BUDD-CHIARI SYNDROME IN PATIENTS WITH SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS

Abstract

Objective: Antiphospholipid syndrome is associated with multiple and recurrent episodes of arterial and venous thrombosis, thrombocytopenia, spontaneous fetal losses, and high levels of antiphospholipid antibodies. These antibodies can also be present in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and predispose patients with Lupus to a hypercoagulable state. Budd-Chiari syndrome (BCS) is characterized by hepatic venous outflow obstruction that can lead to hepatic congestion and it is deeply associated with acquired or inherited hypercoagulable states. Therefore, the aim of this study was to conduct a systematic literature review to analyze the association between Budd-Chiari syndrome and SLE. Materials and methods: A systematic literature review was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. Articles were selected from PubMed/Medline, SciELO and LILACS databases in August 2021 using the search terms [Lupus] OR [SLE] AND [Budd-Chiari syndrome]. The inclusion criterion was limited to observational studies, case reports or case series that reported an association between Budd-Chiari syndrome and SLE. Language was restricted to English, Spanish or Portuguese. Results: Among 76 articles initially identified, 31 were eligible for this review after full texts were read. The vast majority of the studies have linked the antibodies lupus anticoagulant and anticardiolipin as etiological factors of BCS in patients with lupus. One study has reported six cases in which factor V Leiden was strongly related to SLE, suggesting that this mutation should also be investigated in patients with lupus and BCS. Few studies have mentioned isolated deficiency of protein C and/or protein S as common etiologies of BCS in patients with lupus. Discussion: Studies suggest that Lupus anticoagulant can be sought in patients with idiopathic hepatic venous thrombosis. Possible mechanisms by which antiphospholipid antibodies induce thrombotic events in patients with SLE have been suggested: it can bind to platelet membrane phospholipids and accentuate their adhesion and aggregation ability, it can interfere in the interactions of proteins C and S and impair the formation of the coagulation control complex (activated protein C, protein S and factor V). Conclusion: Budd-Chiari syndrome can be a rare complication in patients with SLE. A methodical search for hepatic vein occlusion in patients with SLE who develop unexplained hepatomegaly should be performed. In addition, screening for lupus anticoagulant and anticardiolipin antibodies should take place to reduce the percentage of apparently idiopathic BCS cases.