Splenic hypofunction in systemic lupus erythematosus.

Systemic lupus erythematosus is a relatively common autoimmune disease in the United States. Hyposplenism is infrequently described in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. It is seen in up to 5% of patients and is thought to be caused by vasculitic changes within the spleen. The diagnosis of hyposplenism can be made easily by identifying Howell-Jolly bodies on a peripheral blood smear. The authors describe a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus associated with hyposplenism and discuss possible diagnostic and treatment implications.