Clinicopathological Study of Discoid Lupus Erythematosus
March 2009
TLDR Discoid Lupus Erythematosus is more common in women aged 31-40, often worsened by sunlight, and confirmed by specific lab tests.
The study on Discoid Lupus Erythematosus (DLE) conducted at Government General Hospital, Chennai, from July 2006 to September 2008, found an incidence rate of 1.7 per 1000. Localized DLE was more common (76%) than disseminated DLE (24%), with the highest occurrence in females aged 31-40 years. Disseminated DLE was more prevalent in males aged 41-50 years. The most frequent symptom was a burning sensation upon sun exposure, and sunlight was the primary exacerbating factor. Scalp involvement was common in localized DLE, while the trunk was predominantly affected in disseminated DLE. Laboratory findings included anemia (25%), raised ESR (57%), and ANA positivity (29%). Histopathological and immunofluorescence studies confirmed DLE in most cases, with rare instances of lichen planus and neoplastic changes (2%).