Hemoglobinopathy and Systemic Lupus: A Rare Association

The authors report a case of systemic lupus associated with a composite heterozygosis SC with thalassemic component in a 19-year-old patient hospitalized for anemia and polyarthralgia who has a staturoponderal delay, macular erythematous lesions in butterfly wings on the face and ears, photosensitivity, puffy face, alopecia, pubic and axillary hair loss, scalp dermatophytosis, painful swelling of the interphalangeal joints, wrists and knees. The hemoglobin electrophoresis showed a compound heterozygote SC associated with β thalassemia. Antinuclear antibodies were positive with an anti-Sm positive antibody. Conclusion: The diagnosis of both diseases can be difficult when symptoms are concomitant and look alike.