To investigate the clinical features of 11 cases with systemic lupus erythe-matosus (SLE) complicated with refractory pleural effusion.

Eleven patients with SLE complicated with refractory pleural effusion, admitted to our center in recent 15 years, were retrospectively analyzed.

Eleven patients were female. The average age at presentation was (35±10) years (ranging from 15 to 52 years). The average disease duration of SLE was (61±73) months (ranging from 5 months to 20 years). The median disease duration of pleural effusion was (23±27) months (ranging from 5 to 91 months). Total aspirated volume was more than 10 militres. Concomitant SLE-related involved organs in 11 cases included kidney in 4 cases, leukopenia in 4 cases, fever and skin rash in 3 cases respectively, arthralgia in 2 cases and per-icardial effusion in 1 case. Five patients were treated with corticosteroid, of which, 4 together with immunosuppressive agents and 3 with pleurodesis. Pleural effusion improved in 6 patients. After pleurodesis, the condition of right side was stable, but repeated recurrence in left side finally resulted in pyothorax in 1 patient.

Refractory pleural effusion is relatively rare in patients with SLE. Biological agents and surgical treatment including pleurodesis may be preferred in such refractory cases.

Lupus erythematosus, systemic; Pleural effusion; Retrospective studies