TLDR The case shows how hard it is to tell apart Multiple Autoimmune Syndrome from other similar autoimmune conditions, but correct diagnosis is key for treatment to work.
The document describes a 53-year-old female patient with symptoms of autoimmune-related skin and hair conditions, including patchy scalp hair loss, partial eyebrow hair loss, facial erythema, and scaly atrophied facial patches. Biopsies indicated cicatricial alopecia due to Lichen Planus Pilaris and Lichen Spinulosus, and blood tests showed high levels of Antinuclear antibodies and U1-nRNP, leading to a diagnosis of Mixed Connective Tissue Disease. Despite unchanged laboratory findings, the patient experienced significant clinical improvement after one year of hydroxychloroquine treatment. The case emphasizes the difficulty in differentiating between Multiple Autoimmune Syndrome and overlapping autoimmune diseases and underscores the necessity of accurate diagnosis for effective treatment.
37 citations,
October 2015 in “Anais Brasileiros de Dermatologia” Lichen planopilaris mostly affects women with fair skin and can look different on each person, needing early treatment to prevent hair loss.
291 citations,
January 2014 in “The Scientific World Journal” Lichen Planus is a less common condition affecting skin and mucous membranes, with various types and associated risk factors, challenging to diagnose, significantly impacts life quality, and may have a risk of cancerous changes in oral lesions.
160 citations,
March 2009 in “Seminars in Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery” New insights show Lichen Planopilaris is a rare, scarring hair loss condition, hard to treat, mainly affecting middle-aged women, and significantly impacts mental health.
January 2017 in “Springer eBooks” The document explains various skin conditions and their treatments.
160 citations,
March 2009 in “Seminars in Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery” New insights show Lichen Planopilaris is a rare, scarring hair loss condition, hard to treat, mainly affecting middle-aged women, and significantly impacts mental health.
May 2017 in “InTech eBooks” Some hair loss disorders cause permanent loss due to scarring, and treatments like steroids don't always work well.
5 citations,
July 2013 in “Our Dermatology Online” Lichen planopilaris is the most common type of scarring hair loss observed, with a variety of symptoms and tissue changes.
1 citations,
October 2018 in “InTech eBooks” The document concludes that treatments for cicatricial alopecia are not well-supported by evidence, but hair transplantation shows more predictable and satisfactory results.
