Systemic lupus erythematosus with pigmented skin

Area of Science:

• Dermatology
• Rheumatology
• Internal Medicine

Background:

• Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease with diverse clinical manifestations.
• Cutaneous involvement is common in SLE, but specific presentations like Degos lesions and purpura are rare.
• Understanding rare symptom clusters is crucial for comprehensive patient management.

Observation:

• A 36-year-old woman with SLE presented with unusual vesiculobullous symptoms.
• The patient also exhibited Degos dermal infarcts and Schönlein-Henoch-type purpura during her illness.
• This specific combination of dermatological symptoms in SLE is unprecedented in existing literature.

Findings:

• The Degos lesions associated with SLE in this case were benign.
• Sulfone therapy demonstrated efficacy in managing the patient's vesiculobullous symptoms.
• The co-occurrence of these distinct dermatological conditions offers new insights into SLE heterogeneity.

Implications:

• This case expands the known spectrum of cutaneous manifestations in systemic lupus erythematosus.
• It underscores the importance of recognizing and investigating rare symptom combinations.
• The successful use of sulfone suggests a potential therapeutic option for similar rare presentations.