What is discoid lupus erythematosus?

Lupus erythematosus (LE) is a group of diverse, persistent inflammatory autoimmune diseases and often affects the skin. Discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE) is the most common chronic form of cutaneous lupus. It is characterised by persistent scaly, disk-like plaques on scalp, face and ears that may cause pigmentary changes, scarring and hair loss.

What causes discoid lupus erythematosus?

Factors leading to DLE include:

• Genetic predisposition
• Exposure to sunlight (often several weeks before the presentation)
• Toxins such as cigarette smoke
• Hormones.

The manifestations of DLE are due to loss of regulation of the immune system in the skin.

Who gets discoid lupus erythematosus?

DLE can affect males and females of any age. DLE is five times more common in females than males, and onset is most often between the ages of 20 and 40 years. DLE is more common than systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The estimated prevalence is around 20–40 people in every 100,000.

DLE may be more common in patients with darker coloured skin than in fair Caucasians.

DLE is more common and more severe in smokers compared to non-smokers. Smoking also reduces the effectiveness of antimalarials and other therapies.

Clinical features of discoid lupus erythematosus

Most patients with DLE just have skin involvement (cutaneous LE). Between 5% and 25% of patients with DLE develop SLE, in which there may be other forms of cutaneous lupus, and other organs may develop the disease. Typically, systemic symptoms are mild in these patients.

DLE may be localised (above the neck in 80%) or generalised (above and below the neck in 20%).

Signs of localised DLE include:

• Initial lesions are dry red patches
• These evolve to indurated red or hyperpigmented plaques with adherent scale
• Follicular keratosis, or plugs of keratin within hair follicles, is noted when the surface scale is removed, for example with tape (carpet-tack sign)
• Older lesions are hyperpigmented, especially on the edge of the plaques
• Scarring results in central loss of pigment (white patches) and skin atrophy (tissue loss)
• DLE is typically located on the nose, cheeks, ear lobe and concha
• It may involve lips, oral mucosa, nose or eyelids
• Scalp lesions cause temporary or permanent patches of hair loss
• Hypertrophic (warty) lupus erythematous describes red, very thickened plaques.

Signs of generalised DLE include:

• Plaques on anterior chest, upper back, backs of hands
• Sometimes, plaques on upper and lower limbs
• Can affect palms and soles
• Can affect anogenital mucosa.

The patient's main concern is the unsightly appearance of the plaques, but they may also be itchy or sore.

Chronic discoid lupus erythematosus

Chronic discoid lupus erythematosus

Chronic discoid lupus erythematosus on lips

More mages of cutaneous lupus erythematosus.

How is discoid lupus erythematosus diagnosed?

DLE is often diagnosed from its distribution in sun-exposed sites and the clinical appearance of the plaques. After a careful history, the patient with DLE should undergo a thorough general examination, to find out if other forms of lupus may be present.

The diagnosis is usually confirmed by skin biopsy, in which typical features of lupus are noted: interface and periadnexal dermatitis, follicular plugging, atrophy and scarring. Direct immunofluorescence is often positive in lesional skin in DLE (positive lupus band test).

Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus Disease Area and Severity Index (CLASI)

The Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus Disease Area and Severity Index (CLASI) was developed in an attempt to classify the severity of cutaneous LE. [2] A score of activity and damage due to the disease is calculated in each of 12 anatomical locations (refer to the original published paper for details).

The total activity score is made up of:

• A degree of redness (0–3) and scale (0–2)
• Mucous membrane involvement (0–1)
• Recent hair loss (0–1), nonscarring alopecia (0–3).

Total damage score is made up of:

• The degree of dyspigmentation (0–2), and scarring (0–2)
• Persistence of dyspigmentation more than 12 months doubles the dyspigmentation score
• Scalp scarring (0, 3, 4, 5, 6).

Blood tests

Patients with DLE will usually have blood tests at the time of diagnosis and from time to time afterwards.

• Full blood count
• Renal function test
• Inflammatory markers such as C-reactive protein (CRP)
• Antinuclear antibody (ANA, ANF; if present, they are usually in low titre)
• Extractable nuclear antibody (ENA)
• Anti-annexin 1 antibodies—these may be a diagnostic marker for discoid CLE

Circulating autoantibodies are found in about 50% of patients with DLE.

Does discoid lupus erythematosus have any complications?

About 25% of patients with discoid lupus erythematosus also develop systemic lupus erythematosus within months to decades of the diagnosis of skin disease.

Discoid lupus erythematosus may leave permanent scars, even when the active disease has responded to treatment.

What is the treatment for discoid lupus erythematosus?

Preventative measures

The following measures are important to reduce the chance of flares of DLE.

• Careful year-round protection from sun exposure using clothing, accessories and thickly applied SPF 50+ broad-spectrum sunscreens. Sunscreens alone are not adequate.
• Indoors, some patients may also need to stay away from glass windows, or these can be treated with UV-blocking films.
• Vitamin D supplements should be recommended for those who strictly avoid the sun.
• Smoking cessation.

Topical therapy

Intermittent courses of potent topical corticosteroids are the main treatment for DLE. They should be applied accurately to the skin lesions for several weeks. Potency should be selected to suit the body site and thickness of the plaque. Very potent topical steroids may cause thinning of the surrounding skin and increase blood vessel formation (telangiectasia). Intralesional injections of corticosteroids are sometimes used, especially for hypertrophic DLE.

The calcineurin inhibitors tacrolimus ointment and pimecrolimus cream can also be used.

Camouflage makeup is useful to improve appearance.

Systemic therapy

Typically, any of the following drugs may be used to treat DLE alone or in combination. Treatment is less effective in smokers than in non-smokers.

• Hydroxychloroquine and other antimalarials—response rates are about 80% in CLE.  
• Systemic corticosteroids such as prednisone or prednisolone. These are rarely required for DLE.
• Methotrexate—best response in subacute CLE and discoid CLE
• Retinoids isotretinoin and acitretin
• Mycophenolate
• Azathioprine
• Dapsone
• Thalidomide
• Belimumab

What is the outlook for discoid lupus erythematosus?

DLE tends to persist for years or decades. In some patients, all signs of active disease resolve in time.

Squamous cell carcinoma can rarely arise within a longstanding DLE plaque in the skin or mucous membrane. It presents as an enlarging warty growth or ulcer. It is usually treated surgically.