Changing Trends of Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus (CLE) in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Northern Odisha, India

Cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE) is a chronic autoimmune inflammatory skin disorder. Several studies have been published regarding its prevalence, demographic details, clinical spectrum, and various associated factors. In our out patient department (OPD), we noticed an increase in the number of cases of CLE in our area in the last few years. Therefore, the current cross-sectional study was conducted to assess the trends of CLE among patients who reported to a tertiary care hospital.

The current study is a record-based cross-sectional study of 81 patients of CLE, who attended the dermatology OPD of a tertiary care hospital. Data were collected from 2017 to 2022 and were divided into three different periods of time (2017-2018, 2019-2020, and 2021-2022). Demographic details, clinical examination findings, and laboratory investigation reports were also collected.

There was a rising trend in the cases of CLE. Females outnumbered males (2:1, 66.67%). The increase in cases from 2017-2018 to 2019-2020 was 157% and from 2019-2020 to 2021-2022 was 204%. In 2021-2022, 52% of cases of chronic CLE (CCLE) were males. Photosensitivity was the most common finding. The majority of patients were addicted to smoking.

The current study noticed an increasing trend in all types of CLE. So, this rising trend should be investigated for possible triggering factors like climatic changes, infections, and drug factors with a larger sample size.