Chronic discoid lupus erythematous
This is a chronic, relapsing and purely cutaneous autoimmune disorder which leads to scarring and alopecia. The clinical presentation can be divided in to:
- localized - in sun-exposed areas such as the face, ears, and scalp
- extensive - in the upper trunk and extremities
It is characterised by plaques of scaling and erythema which eventually atrophy. Females are affected twice as commonly as men and the age of onset is between 25 to 45 years.
In the UK, presentation is usually in early spring and in summer.
Discoid lupus erythematosus occurs more frequently in women in their fourth and fifth decades of life. Approximately 25% of patients with SLE may develop typical discoid lesions at some point during their illness, and 1% to 5% of patients with discoid lupus may develop SLE. (2)
Click here for an example image of this condition
References:
- O'Kane D, McCourt C, Meggitt S, et al; British Association of Dermatologists’ Clinical Standards Unit. British Association of Dermatologists guidelines for the management of people with cutaneous lupus erythematosus 2021. Br J Dermatol. 2021 Dec;185(6):1112-23.
- Tebbe B. Clinical course and prognosis of cutaneous lupus erythematosus. Clin Dermatol. 2004 Mar-Apr;22(2):121-4.
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