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For further information, see CMDT Part 6-42: Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus

KEY FEATURES

Essentials of Diagnosis

  • Localized violaceous red plaques, usually on the head (discoid lupus erythematosus) or the trunk (chronic cutaneous lupus erythematosus)

  • Scaling, follicular plugging, atrophy, dyspigmentation, and telangiectasia of involved areas

  • Distinctive histology

  • Photosensitivity

General Considerations

  • Common forms of cutaneous lupus

    • Chronic cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CCLE)

    • Chronic scarring lesions (discoid lupus erythematosus [DLE])

    • Erythematous non scarring red plaques (subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus [SCLE])

    • Occur most frequently on photoexposed areas

  • Ten percent of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) have discoid skin lesions, and 5% of patients with discoid lesions have SLE

  • In patients with DLE, consider SLE if the following findings are present

    • Widespread lesions (not localized to the head)

    • Nail fold changes (dilated or thrombosed nail fold capillary loops)

    • Arthralgias with or without arthritis

    • Positive antinuclear antibody (ANA)

    • Other positive serologic studies (eg, anti-double-stranded DNA or antiSmith antibody)

    • High erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)

    • Proteinuria

    • Hypocomplementemia

  • The disease is persistent but not life endangering unless systemic lupus supervenes, which is uncommon

  • Treatment with antimalarials is effective in perhaps 60% of cases

  • Some medications may induce SCLE with a positive Ro/SSA, most commonly

    • Hydrochlorothiazide

    • Calcium channel blockers

    • Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors

    • Tumor necrosis factor inhibitors

    • Terbinafine

CLINICAL FINDINGS

Symptoms and Signs

  • Usually mild

  • DLE lesions

    • Consist of violaceous red, well-localized, single or multiple plaques, 5–20 mm in diameter

    • Usually on the face, scalp, and external ears (conchal bowl)

    • There is atrophy, telangiectasia, central depigmentation or scarring, a hyperpigmented rim, and follicular plugging

    • Significant permanent hair loss may occur on the scalp

  • SCLE lesions

    • Are erythematous annular or psoriasiform plaques

    • Measure up to several centimeters in diameter

    • Favor the upper chest and back

Differential Diagnosis

  • SLE

  • Psoriasis

  • Seborrheic dermatitis

  • Acne rosacea

  • Lupus vulgaris (cutaneous tuberculosis)

  • Sarcoidosis

  • Bowen disease (squamous cell carcinoma in situ)

  • Polymorphous light eruption

  • Lichen planopilaris

DIAGNOSIS

Laboratory Tests

  • Patients with marked photosensitivity and a picture otherwise suggestive of lupus may have negative ANA tests but are positive for antibodies against Ro/SSA or La/SSB (SCLE)

Diagnostic Procedures

  • Skin biopsy used to confirm diagnosis

TREATMENT

Medications

Table 6–2.Useful topical dermatologic therapeutic agents.1

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