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Lupus Erythematosus, Discoid

Veronica J Ruston, DO Reviewed 06/2022
 


BASICS

DESCRIPTION

  • Discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE) is the most common form of cutaneous LE. The classification of discoid lupus has recently been updated  (1).

  • DLE is an inflammatory condition that ca...

DIAGNOSIS

  • Diagnosis of discoid lupus is typically clinical.

  • Histopathologic findings on skin biopsy confirm the diagnosis.

HISTORY

  • Localized DLE: sun-exposed areas of the face, especially the malar areas...

TREATMENT

  • Full-spectrum sunscreens, topical steroids, and intralesional glucocorticoids

  • Antimalarial agents, such as hydroxychloroquine, chloroquine, and quinacrine, are indicated when topical or intra...

ONGOING CARE

FOLLOW-UP RECOMMENDATIONS

Long-term surveillance is needed during the course of treating DLE to monitor efficacy of medication choice, medication side effects, and signs of systemic diseas...

REFERENCES

1
Whitelaw D, Grainge M, Jayasekera P, et al. Drugs for discoid lupus erythematosus. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2017;(5): CD002954.
2
Wahie  S, Daly  AK, Cordell  HJ, e...

ADDITIONAL READING

  • Chong  BF, Song  J, Olsen  NJ. Determining risk factors for developing systemic lupus erythematosus in patients with discoid lupus erythematosus. Br J Der...

SEE ALSO

Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic (SLE) 

CODES

ICD10

  • L93.0 Discoid lupus erythematosus

  • L93.1 Subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus

  • L93.2 Other local lupus erythematosus

SNOMED

  • 200938002 Discoid lupus erythematosus (disorder)

  • 403498005 Discoid lup...

CLINICAL PEARLS

  • Patients with cutaneous DLE have a 1–5% chance of developing SLE; screen patients at regular intervals with laboratory testing and physical exam.

  • Early diagnosis and treatment of DLE le...

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