A variety of coagulation abnormalities has been described in systemic lupus erythematosus
(SLE). We report a unique SLE patient with an acquired factor XI deficiency. The low
factor XI levels were not due to a classical coagulation inhibitor, but to a plasma
factor (probably an immunoglobulin) that selectively bound factor XI. The factor XI
deficiency improved after treatment with corticosteroids. Thus it is possible that
in SLE immune complexes may bind clotting factors making them unavailable for use
in the coagulation cascade.
Keywords
Factor XI - Systemic lupus erythematosus