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Skin lesions - an indicator of disease activity in systemic lupus erythematosus?

R D Zeevi

Department of Dermatology, Military Medical Academy, Crnotravska 17, 11002 Belgrade, Yugoslavia; brankaz{at}eunet.yu

D Vojvodi

Department of Dermatology, Military Medical Academy, Belgrade, Yugoslavia

B Risti

M D Pavlovi

Institute of Medical Research, Military Medical Academy, Belgrade, Yugoslavia

D Stefanovi

Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Military Medical Academy, Belgrade, Yugoslavia

D Karadagli

Institute of Medical Research, Military Medical Academy, Belgrade, Yugoslavia

Cutaneous manifestations have great diagnostic value for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). In this study we tried to establish a correlation between lupus erythematosus LE-specific and LE-nonspecific cutaneous lesions and disease activity measured by the Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI). Sixty-six patients with SLE were evaluated. They were divided into three groups having: (1) only LE-specific lesions (38 or 58.46%); (2) only LE-nonspecific lesions (4 or 6.15%); and (3) both types of lesions (23 or 35.38%). Results were analyzed using the Student t-test.

Patients with LE-nonspecific skin manifestations had significantly increased disease activity compared to those with only LE-specific lesions. The number of different skin lesion types also correlated with disease activity. It was significantly increased in a group with three different types of lesion, either specific or nonspecific. Patients with only one type of lesion had mild disease. An intermediate disease activity was found in the group with two different lesion types.

Lupus-specific skin manifestations serve primarily as an important diagnostic clue. In conclusion, patients with LE-nonspecific lesions have significantly more active SLE than those with LE-specific lesions and may therefore require more intensive therapy and disease monitoring.

Key Words: systemic lupus erythematosus • skin lesions • SLEDAI

Lupus, Vol. 10, No. 5, 364-367 (2001)
DOI: 10.1191/096120301675962535


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