A CLINICAL STUDY OF THE CUTANEOUS MANIFESTATIONS OF LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS

BACKGROUND \nLupus Erythematosus (LE) is a group of heterogenous autoimmune diseases with an array of manifestations ranging from \ncutaneous lesions to life-threatening systemic manifestations. Cutaneous manifestations are the second most common feature \nand it serves as an important diagnostic aid. The nonspecific skin lesions are associated with more active disease. \nThe aim of the study is to study the pattern and prevalence of cutaneous manifestations in LE and to study the correlation \nbetween cutaneous manifestations and systemic involvement. \nMATERIALS AND METHODS \nStudy comprised of 48 patients of lupus erythematosus who attended the Department of Dermatology and Venereology in a \ntertiary referral centre from a period of November 2010 to November 2012. Patients were subjected to detailed clinical \nexamination, routine investigations, ANA, anti-dsDNA, ANA profile, non-lesional skin biopsy for lupus band test. \nRESULTS \n48 patients were taken for the study. The peak incidence was in the age group of 30-40 (33.33%) yrs. There was female \npredominance, the ratio being 5.86:1. Discoid Lupus Erythematosus (DLE) constitutes 37.5% and Systemic Lupus \nErythematosus (SLE) 62.5%. Majority of DLE patients (38.89%) presented late in 5-9 yrs., whereas SLE patients presented \nearly within 1-6 months (50%). Most frequent presenting features were arthralgia (54.17%), oral ulcers (45.83%). Renal system \nwas the most common system affected (16.67%). Most common haematological abnormality was anaemia and raised ESR \n(40%). Most common immunological abnormality was raised ANA in 66.7% and raised anti-dsDNA (60%). Most frequent \nbiochemical abnormality was albuminuria and raised 24-hours urine protein. Lupus band was positive in 58.33% and all had \nrenal involvement. Mortality was 6.67%. \nCONCLUSION \nIn this study, we got comparable results in epidemiological parameters like age and distribution with other studies. The incidence \nof ANA negative SLE was higher (33.33%) in our study. Though majority of patients with renal involvement had a positive lupus \nband test, a statistical significance could not be sought in this regard on account of low sample size.