CHRONIC ASCITES IN LATE-ONSET SYSTEMIC LUPUS-ERYTHEMATOSUS WITH ANTIPHOSPHOLIPID ANTIBODIES

Because doctors are reluctant to diagnose systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in elderly patients, the initial diagnosis in this age group is usually tardy. Furthermore, the presenting manifestations in these pa tients are commonly atypical. We describe a 72-year-old woman in whom chronic ascites with antiphospholipid antibodies was the initial predo minant manifestation of subsequently fatal SLE. Only 13 cases of chron ic lupus ascites have been reported in the English and French literatu re. Our patient represents the first case reported in an elderly perso n.