Clinicolaboratory Features of Patients with Discoid Lupus Erythematosus

Abstract

Introduction: Discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE) is a benign skin disorder with prominent scarring if left
untreated. The disease has also been identified to be associated with some laboratory abnormalities
contrary to previous thought that the disorder is limited to the skin. Although, it was thought to be more
prevalent in the black population, it was reported as a rare disease in West Africans. However, studies on
DLE in our population are very few. Aims and objectives: To describe the clinical features and identify
laboratory abnormalities in patients diagnosed with DLE.
Methodology: A retrospective study, patients who were diagnosed with Discoid lupus erythematosus from
April 2008 to October 2012 were traced from our records and their case files were retrieved. Patients who
had evidence of systemic lupus erythematosus from investigations and patients who do not have at least two
of this three baseline investigations urinalysis, Full blood count, Erythrocyte sedimentation rate were
excluded. Essential information such as demographic data, age of onset, clinical and laboratory features
were obtained and analyzed using SPSS software version 15.0.
Results: A total of 23 patients met the above criteria. The male: female ratio was 1:3.6 while the mean age of
presentation was 40.6 ± 14.7yrs. The mean age of onset was 36.6 ± 16.1yrs. Most of our patients presented
late after disease onset and about half (52.2%) had the disseminated form of DLE as at presentation.
Conclusion: Discoid lupus erythematosus is a chronic disfiguring skin disease whose incidence appears to
be increasing from unconfirmed reasons such as increased health seeking attitude. Majority of the patients
still present late after the onset of the disease with a disseminated form that puts them at risk of progressing
to Systemic lupus erythematosus. There is therefore a need for adequate education of the public and follow
up of these patients for early institution of management.
Keywords: DLE, Nigerians, lupus, laboratory abnormalities, clinical features