Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a respiratory viral disease, and several cases of autoimmune diseases have been reported after infection. This report presents the case of a 38-year-old Japanese woman who developed systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) following COVID-19. Clinical manifestations included dermatological complications, joint pain, and positive autoantibodies. The patient met the SLE classification criteria, and renal involvement was observed. Her symptoms improved with immunosuppressive therapy. A literature review identified 10 similar cases, those with lymphopenia and renal involvement. SLE should be considered in patients with persistent nonspecific symptoms after COVID-19 infection, particularly when hematologic and renal involvement are present.
COVID-19 , Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic , Humans , Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic/complications , Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic/diagnosis , Female , Adult , COVID-19/complications , COVID-19/diagnosis , Immunosuppressive Agents/therapeutic use , SARS-CoV-2
