Case Report: Diagnostic itinerary of a male case of juvenile-onset systemic lupus erythematosus in Bouake

TL;DR

A 17-year-old boy with juvenile-onset systemic lupus erythematosus faced 12 years of misdiagnosis, highlighting challenges in early detection and treatment in Africa.

Contribution

This case report emphasizes the lack of pediatric rheumatologists and the need for early diagnosis awareness in African populations.

Findings

The case highlights a 12-year diagnostic delay in a male with juvenile-onset systemic lupus erythematosus.

The case illustrates the difficulty in diagnosing the disease in semi-rural African settings.

The report underscores the importance of raising awareness among healthcare providers and the public for timely treatment.

Abstract

Juvenile-onset systemic lupus erythematosus (JLES) is an autoimmune disease of unknown aetiology. It is more common in girls but can occur in boys. Its onset at an early age is more severe, causing potentially fatal damage if not treated early. It is a polymorphous condition, misleading at first and little known in our African populations. We report a case of 12 years of misdiagnosis in a 17-year-old boy living in a semi-rural environment. This case illustrates the shortage of paediatric rheumatologists and marks a breaking point in the diagnosis of the disease, which is sometimes difficult even for practitioners, making it difficult for sick children to access care. It is important to make the general public, as well as nurses and doctors, aware of the importance of early diagnosis for effective and efficient treatment.