Studies of the pathogenesis of interstitial cystitis, obstructive uropathy, and intestinal malabsorption in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus.

A patient with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is described who displayed the unusual extraglomerular syndromes of interstitial cystitis with obstructive uropathy and severe secretory-type diarrhea with intestinal malabsorption. Pathologic investigations into the nature of these events revealed immunofluorescent deposits in blood vessel walls of the small intestine and urinary bladder. The patient's malabsorption state and cystitis with urinary obstruction regressed with therapy of the SLE. We are postulating that immune complexes from the circulation may deposit in blood vessel walls, and may be responsible for tissue injury in these sites and the clinical manifestations of this patient.