The study on systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in India, involving 40 patients, found that the mean age of onset was 23.3 years with a female to male ratio of 19:1. Common skin lesions included malar rash (77.5%), photosensitivity (70%), and non-scarring alopecia (60%). Systemic manifestations frequently observed were arthritis (77.5%) and nephritis (30%). Among patients with only cutaneous manifestations, a significant number had positive serological markers such as antinuclear antibody (85%) and anti-double-stranded DNA (57%). The findings suggest that early identification of SLE through skin lesions and serological profiles can precede systemic symptoms, highlighting the importance of environmental factors in the Indian context.
4350 citations,
July 2012 in “Arthritis & Rheumatism” The new SLICC criteria for diagnosing lupus are more sensitive and accurate than the old criteria.
74 citations,
March 2001 in “Seminars in Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery” The document concludes that skin biopsies, genetic and environmental factors, and specific treatments are important in managing cutaneous lupus erythematosus.
132 citations,
July 2000 in “Lupus” In Italian patients with lupus, the most common skin issue was chronic cutaneous lupus, especially discoid lesions, and nonspecific skin problems occurred in about a third of those with systemic lupus, mainly during active disease.
32 citations,
September 1989 in “Medical Clinics of North America” Skin problems are common in lupus, important for diagnosis, and can be triggered by sunlight.
1 citations,
July 2022 in “BMJ Case Reports” A woman in her 30s, initially diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) due to symptoms like alopecia, arthritis, photosensitivity, malar rash, and a diffuse maculopapular skin rash, was later found to have multibacillary leprosy. This misdiagnosis occurred despite positive serology for SLE, highlighting the importance of considering differential diagnoses in similar clinical presentations.
