[Lupus Cheilitis: a clinical case report]

Generalized lupus erythematosus (LEG) is an autoimmune disease with cutaneous and mucosal manifestations, with lupus cheilitis (LC) being a rare associated oral presentation. The difficulty in early diagnosis of QL lies in its various clinical forms. Although successful treatments have been described, information on specific management is limited, highlighting the importance of early recognition to improve the prognosis and quality of life of patients.

We describe the case of a 24-year-old woman with SLE of four years' duration, under treatment with prednisone. She presented a bilateral painful vermilion stomatosis, with extensive erosions and ulcerations covered by hematic crusts, showing no improvement despite previous topical treatments. Histopathological analysis revealed lymphoplasmacytic spongiotic stomatitis with eosinophils and lupus stomatitis associated with contact irritation. The dose of prednisone was adjusted, noting improvement after a month of treatment.

Even though the oral mucosa is commonly affected in SLE, LC is uncommon. The clinical presentation of QL starts with macules on the lips, and eventually presents with edema and painful ulcers. The diagnosis is essentially clinical but challenging cases may require a pathology report. Management includes adjustment of corticosteroid doses and general measures; early diagnosis is crucial for an adequate treatment response.