https://doi.org/10.4081/reumatismo.2020.1274

Severe bullous systemic lupus erythematosus successfully treated with low dose rituximab: a case report from sub-Saharan Africa

Vol. 72 No. 2 (2020)
Submitted: 20 February 2020
Accepted: 29 April 2020
Published: 23 July 2020
Bullous lupus, rituximab, Africans, case report
Abstract Views: 882
PDF: 571
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Authors

A.A. Akpabio
petersakpabio@yahoo.com
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4920-6494
Internal Medicine Department, University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, Uyo, Nigeria.
B.I. Otike-Odibi
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8021-4265
Internal Medicine Department, University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Port-Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.

Bullous systemic lupus erythematosus (BSLE) is a blistering skin condition occurring in lupus patients. Although cutaneous manifestations are common in lupus (59-85%), BSLE is rare, affecting <5% of lupus patients with very few reported cases among Africans. Dapsone is effective in mild to moderate cases, but off-label standard-dose rituximab (1,000 mg 2 weeks apart) has led to good outcomes in refractory cases. We report the case of a 39-yearold African lady with BSLE, who was successfully treated with low-dose rituximab (500 mg 2 weeks apart), healing her skin lesions at one year post-treatment. Low-dose rituximab may be as effective as standard dosing for the treatment of severe bullous SLE and is recommended in low resource settings.

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How to Cite

Akpabio, A., & Otike-Odibi, B. (2020). Severe bullous systemic lupus erythematosus successfully treated with low dose rituximab: a case report from sub-Saharan Africa. Reumatismo, 72(2), 115–119. https://doi.org/10.4081/reumatismo.2020.1274

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