Nasal mucosal involvement in lupus erythematosus

Area of Science:

• Rheumatology and Immunology
• Otorhinolaryngology (ENT)
• Mucosal Immunology

Background:

• Mucosal involvement is recognized in lupus erythematosus (LE), particularly oral, conjunctival, and genital sites.
• Nasal manifestations of LE are less frequently reported, often appearing sporadically in literature.
• The prevalence and clinical significance of nasal mucosal involvement in LE patients remain under-assessed.

Purpose of the Study:

• To prospectively evaluate the prevalence of nasal symptoms and clinical signs in patients diagnosed with lupus erythematosus.
• To determine the incidence of immunoreactant deposition within the nasal mucosa of individuals with LE.
• To investigate the correlation between clinical findings and immunopathological evidence of nasal LE.

Main Methods:

• A prospective study involving 36 patients diagnosed with lupus erythematosus.
• Clinical assessment for nasal symptoms and examination for chronic inflammatory changes (e.g., septal perforation, vestibulitis).
• Histopathological analysis to detect the deposition of immunoreactants in nasal mucosal biopsies.

Main Results:

• Twenty-one out of 36 LE patients reported non-specific nasal symptoms.
• Twelve patients exhibited chronic inflammatory changes in their nasal cavity mucosa or vestibule.
• Immunoreactants were detected in the nasal mucosa of only 4 patients, showing poor correlation with clinical disease presentation.

Conclusions:

• Nasal mucosal involvement in lupus erythematosus is likely underestimated and frequently overlooked during patient assessments.
• Clinical symptoms and signs of nasal inflammation in LE patients are more prevalent than confirmed immunoreactant deposition.
• Routine evaluation of nasal symptoms and signs is recommended for comprehensive lupus erythematosus management.