A case of Lupus in a Health Center

Abstract

Because of its complexity and severity, systemic lupus erithematosus (SLE) is typically a hospital-managed disease. However,diagnosis can be initiated in primary health care, and the family physician may be questioned by the patient with LES on the diagnostic approach, the therapeutic plan, the prognosis and associated disability. The case of a 27 year-old woman, presenting with fever of unknown origin and to whom SLE was diagnosed on the basis of the investigations started up in primary care is described. A frequent contact with her family doctor was kept in the months after the diagnosis, the patient sharing apprehensions, looking for advice, and questionning about SLE. With this case, the author intends to review the questions that this rare clinical entity can raise in Family Medicine: suspicion diagnosis, initial complementary study, support to the just-diagnosed patient, non-pharmacological measures and possible complications and disabilities associated with the disease.