A database analysis of cutaneous lupus erythematosus with the EUSCLE Core Set Questionnaire

Area of Science:

• Dermatology
• Rheumatology
• Clinical Epidemiology

Background:

• Cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE) encompasses various subtypes with distinct clinical and serological profiles.
• Standardized data collection is crucial for understanding CLE heterogeneity and optimizing therapeutic strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the utility of the European Society of Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus (EUSCLE) Core Set Questionnaire.
• To evaluate its effectiveness in capturing clinical features and therapeutic approaches in CLE patients.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of disease characteristics in 50 CLE patients across two European centers (Germany and Sweden).
• Inclusion of diverse CLE subtypes.
• Evaluation of patient data against American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria and assessment of systemic involvement.

Main Results:

• Significant differences in age at disease onset were observed among CLE subtypes.
• 44% of patients met four or more ACR criteria, but only 14% had severe systemic organ manifestations.
• Serological features, including antinuclear antibodies, showed significant variations between CLE subtypes.

Conclusions:

• The EUSCLE Core Set Questionnaire is a valuable instrument for the standardized collection of CLE data.
• It facilitates statistical analysis crucial for clinical practice and research.
• The questionnaire aids in characterizing disease features and therapeutic responses in cutaneous lupus erythematosus.