Autoimmune multiorgan involvement in elderly men is it SLE?

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in males and especially in the elderly is infrequent. We describe two male patients over 65 years old, who presented with anaemia, cytopenia, nephritis, and serositis, suggesting that they suffered from an autoimmune disease. Following an interval of 6 and 9 years respectively, the diagnosis of SLE was made. In both patients, hypothyroidism, and eye involvement (uveitis and iridocyclitis) were present indicating autoimmune activity or even a new autoimmune syndrome. One patient was treated with corticosteroids and azathioprine upon which he developed many side effects from the steroid therapy. The other patient received treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), and at a follow-up period of 18 months, the patient's condition remained stable. We suggest that in the constellation of clinically multiple organ involvement in the elderly male, the diagnosis of SLE should be considered. IVIG may be a successful alternative therapy in this subset of patients.