Editorial

Hydralazine-induced Lupus

Authors: Sonal Singh, MD

Abstract

Nearly 50 years after the first published case report of hydralazine-induced lupus was described,1 scientists are still grappling with the mysteries of drug-induced autoimmunity.2


A drug-induced lupus-like syndrome may present with arthralgias, myalgias, fever, and serositis but is distinguished from systemic lupus erythematosus by several characteristics. Sex ratios are nearly equal in drug-induced lupus and nephritis and central nervous system features are absent, although lupus nephritis has been known to occur with hydralazine.3 Antihistone antibodies are present in more than 90% of cases and anti–double-stranded-DNA antibodies are typically absent. More importantly, when the drug is discontinued, the patient has resolution of clinical manifestations and abnormal laboratory values revert to normal although antinuclear antibodies may persist for months.

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References

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