Discoid lupus erythematosus: a profile

To determine the demographic data, clinical pattern and therapeutic outcome in patients with discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE).

Case series.

The Department of Dermatology, Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences, Jamshoro, from January 2004 to December 2008.

Patients of either gender aged above 18 years diagnosed with DLE were enrolled for the study. Those with evidence of systemic lupus erythematosus were excluded. Apart from the onset, duration, symptoms, lesion's location, size and dimensions were noted. Biopsy was taken when the diagnosis was in doubt. Apart from routine investigations serum anti-nuclear factor was determined in every patient. The data were analyzed using SPSS software version 11.0 for frequencies and percentages.

There were 110 patients (38 males and 72 females), with ages between 18 and 62 years. Family history was positive in 3 patients. The plaque form was the most common clinical type seen in 68 (61.8%) patients, followed by tumid (n=20, 18.2%), panniculitis (n=10, 9.1%) and ulcerative (n=8,7.3%) types. Face was the most common site affected (n=60, 54.5%). Antinuclear antibody was present in 19 (17.3%) patients. Fatigue and joint pains were the commonest symptoms (n=52, 47%). Pigmentation and scarring were the usual outcome.

DLE is a chronic disease with multiple presentations, which usually ends with pigmentation and scarring.