Systemic lupus erythematosis with antiphospholipid antibody syndrome: A mimic of Buerger′s disease

• Main Authors: Vasugi Zoya, Danda D
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2006-01-01
• Series: Journal of Postgraduate Medicine
• Subjects: Systemic lupus erythematosus; antiphospholipid antibody syndrome; Buerger′s disease; lower limb ischemia
• Online Access: http://www.jpgmonline.com/article.asp?issn=0022-3859;year=2006;volume=52;issue=2;spage=132;epage=133;aulast=Vasugi
• ISSN: 0022-3859; 0972-2823

This case report is about a past smoker who presented with history of recurrent ulcers and digital gangrene with claudication pain of the left foot for the past fifteen years. Clinical examination and angiogram showed disease involving the peripheral vessels of lowervlimb. This patient had been labeled as Buerger′s disease 15 years ago based on clinical and demographic profile of the illness. We felt that the progression of the disease despite the patient having stopped smoking 15 years ago along with the presence of elevated inflammatory markers in the blood with proteinuria was not in keeping with the nature of the disease. Furthur evaluation revealed that the patient had systemic lupus erythematosus with antiphospholipid antibody syndrome. This case highlights the need for a careful search for diseases, which can mimic Buerger′s disease in young smokers who present with peripheral vascular disease and who have an atypical clinical presentation or progression.