The incidence of liver dysfunction in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is relatively high.
Liver dysfunction in patients with SLE includes liver injury caused by SLE itself (lupus
hepatitis [LH]) and other comorbid liver diseases. This article aimed to conduct a literature
review of cases regarding the SLE and comorbid liver diseases. The prevalence of liver
dysfunction in SLE is up to 60%. According to most studies, patients with SLE have a high
prevalence of hepatitis C virus infection and a low prevalence of hepatitis B virus infection
compared with those without SLE. The patients with SLE, particularly complicated with
antiphospholipid syndrome, are highly at risk of developing portal thrombosis and
Budd–Chiari syndrome. Cases of comorbid autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) and SLE are
relatively uncommon, and distinguishing LH from comorbid SLE and AIH is necessary.
Comorbidities of primary biliary cholangitis and SLE were relatively well documented.
Prognosis may be favorable except for those with liver failure. Meanwhile, this review found
a few case reports of comorbidity of primary sclerosing cholangitis in patients with SLE.