Myelofibrosis and systemic lupus erythematosus: reversal of fibrosis with high-dose corticosteroid therapy

Acta Haematol. 1992;88(1):32-6. doi: 10.1159/000204592.

Abstract

A case of myelofibrosis in association with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is reported. Acute thrombocytopenia and a bleeding tendency developed in a 24-year-old woman with SLE. Bone marrow aspiration was unsuccessful due to myelofibrosis. Pulse therapy with methylprednisolone reversed both thrombocytopenia and myelofibrosis. A review of the literature revealed that the coexistence of SLE and myelofibrosis is a rare occurrence. Only 7 cases, to our knowledge, have ever been reported in detail. The present case is the 3rd in which myelofibrosis was reversed by corticosteroids.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Anemia / drug therapy
  • Anemia / etiology
  • Anemia / pathology
  • Biopsy
  • Bone Marrow / pathology
  • Female
  • Hemorrhagic Disorders / drug therapy
  • Hemorrhagic Disorders / etiology
  • Hemorrhagic Disorders / pathology
  • Humans
  • Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / complications
  • Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / drug therapy*
  • Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / pathology
  • Methylprednisolone / administration & dosage*
  • Primary Myelofibrosis / drug therapy*
  • Primary Myelofibrosis / etiology
  • Primary Myelofibrosis / pathology
  • Thrombocytopenia / drug therapy
  • Thrombocytopenia / etiology
  • Thrombocytopenia / pathology

Substances

  • Methylprednisolone