[Spontaneous Achilles tendon rupture as early manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus].

Spontaneous tendon rupture is rare in the course of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Its incidence rate remains unknown. The pathogenesis of this manifestation is complex and poorly understood. We report a 39-year-old woman who presented with a spontaneous Achilles tendon rupture as the presenting presentation of SLE, before any corticosteroid therapy. All the patients previously published were receiving corticosteroids and reported in some an associated traumatism. Risk factors are prolonged disease duration, chronic therapy with corticosteroids, deforming arthropathy of the hands, and inactive disease.