Cutaneous Manifestations of Lupus Erythematosus from a Tertiary Care Center in Coastal Kerala
June 2017
in “
Journal of evolution of medical and dental sciences
”
TLDR Most lupus patients in coastal Kerala had skin-specific lesions that could help diagnose the disease, and non-specific skin issues were linked to more severe, systemic lupus.
In a study at a tertiary care center in coastal Kerala from January 2014 to June 2015, 40 patients with Lupus Erythematosus (LE) were examined, revealing that 65% were female and the most affected age group was 20-40 years (47.5%). Photosensitivity was the most common symptom (45%), and 45% of patients met the criteria for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) as per the American College of Rheumatology (ACR). LE-specific skin lesions were observed in 95% of patients, with Chronic Cutaneous LE (CCLE) being the most common at 85%. Non-scarring alopecia due to telogen effluvium was the most common LE-nonspecific lesion at 32.5%. The study concluded that LE-specific lesions could be a diagnostic clue for lupus, while LE-nonspecific lesions were more associated with systemic disease and were more prevalent in patients with systemic involvement.
