Mania in an individual with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus – A case report

Abstract

Neuropsychiatric manifestations are common and occur in around 14-80% of patients with SLE. No particular neurologic or psychiatric manifestation is characteristic of SLE and the form and pattern of neuropsychiatric symptoms vary significantly. The American College of Rheumatology (ACR) Nomenclature provides case definition for 19 neuropsychiatric syndromes seen in SLE. However, these case definitions were not found to be effective in differentiating neuropsychiatric SLE (NPSLE) patients from those with neuropsychiatric manifestations not associated with SLE.Here we present a case of mania in a patient with SLE and discuss the differential diagnosis of neuropsychiatric manifestations of SLE and primary mood disorder.

Symptoms of neuropsychiatric SLE vary significantly and psychiatric disturbances in a patient with SLE is a diagnosis of exclusion where other possibilities have to be considered including an independent comorbid psychiatric disorder. This case highlights the difficulty in the diagnostic process and the need for more studies on the differences between primary psychiatric disorders and neuropsychiatric SLE.