A 58-year-old male presented to a clinic with a 15-year history of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The patient’s condition was primarily characterized by photosensitivity, polyarthritis, malar rash, and pleuritis. Treatment history The patient was previously treated with glucocorticoids, hydroxychloroquine, and azathioprine for SLE.
However, despite treatment, he developed hand deformities, swan neck deformity, Z thumb deformity, and ulnar deviation of the fifth digit over a period of 10 years (Figure 1). Laboratory examination Antinuclear antibodies: Positive Anti–double-stranded DNA antibodies: Positive Anti-Ro (SS-A) antibodies: Positive Non-nephrotic-range proteinuria Leukopenia Rheumatoid factor: Negative Anti-CCP antibodies: Negative Radiography analysis The patient underwent MRI analysis, which revealed no erosions (Figure 2). Based on the physical examination, which of the…
