Correct!
2. False
Diffuse alveolar hemorrhage (DAH) is a rare but catastrophic complication of SLE. It is characterized by bleeding into the alveolar space due to disruption of alveolar-capillary basement membrane (3). Its incidence ranges from 2 to 5.4 % in patients with SLE (4,5). The classic triad of hemoptysis, new pulmonary alveolar infiltrates and fall in hemoglobin is seen 25 to 75 % of patients (6). Temperature elevation >38ยบ C is also another inconsistent systemic finding. Most commonly involved are women with a median age of 27 years.
As DAH is a rare complication of SLE, pathologic mechanisms are not well understood. Previous reports from tissue biopsy suggest damage of small blood vessels and alveoli from immune complexes. The most common histological findings seen are pulmonary capillaritis, bland pulmonary hemorrhage and diffuse alveolar damage. The most common extra pulmonary complication is lupus nephritis 64-90% (6). The short term mortality rates vary from 25% to 50% in a patient with SLE complicated by DAH (3).
Which of the following is effective treatment for SLE induced DAH? (Click on the correct answer to proceed to the last panel)