Successful treatment with bosentan for refractory digital ulcers in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus

Abstract

We report a 32-year-old woman with a 12-year history of systemic lupus erythematosus. Physical examination revealed indurated plaques with small ulcers on her extremities and trunk, which were histologically diagnosed as lupus erythematosus profundus. On her arms and knees, multiple small calcified nodules were noted in the dermis and subcutis. An elevated level of anti-phosphatidylserine/prothrombin antibodies was noted. She had been suffering from digital ulcers on the left fourth finger. Despite conservative therapies, new ulcers appeared on other fingers. After the administration of bosentan, no new lesion has developed. Bosentan, recognized as a choice of treatments for digital ulcers in systemic sclerosis, is worth trying in systemic lupus erythematosus patients with refractory digital ulcers.