Development of systemic lupus erythematosus in a patient with hypoparathyroidism: a case report and review of the literature

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease in which organs undergo damage. Hypoparathyroidism is a rare disease, which presents in two forms: hereditary and acquired. Cases of hypoparathyroidism and SLE rarely co-exist. Only six cases have been reported; five of them first presented with lupus and then hypoparathyroidism or simultaneously. We present here developing lupus disease in a woman who had idiopathic hypoparathyroidism. According to increasing data about the autoimmune origin of idiopathic hypoparathyroidism, these case reports suggest that there may be an autoimmune process linking these diseases.