What is your approach to differentiating between drug induced lupus versus elderly onset SLE?
A female in her mid-70s who suddenly developed malar rash, fatigue, arthralgias. ANA 1:160, smith/RNP extremely elevated, anti-histone ab elevated, low titer RF. She was on HCTZ a year ago but it was discontinued, now on verapamil.
1 Answer
Mednet MemberInvited Expert
Rheumatology · Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS)
Answered on
Close to 50% of SLE patients are anti-histone positive. In a scenario like this, it is not helpful. This is SLE until proven otherwise.
Regarding elderly onset SLE vs drug-induced lupus, I evaluate and distinguish them similarly to how I do in younger patients.
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