Improvement of systemic lupus erythematosus activity by the association of delayed onset Cushing's syndrome.

We describe a 43-year-old woman with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) who had complete resolution of all SLE symptoms as a result of hypercortisolemia induced by a glucocorticoid-producing adenoma of the left adrenal gland. After an adrenalectomy, she developed an SLE exacerbation, characterized by photosensitivity, polyarthralgia, and hemolytic anemia, which required intensive steroid therapy. This is the first report of a patient with SLE entering apparent remission due to excessive adrenal secretion of glucocorticoids.