This Article Full Text (PDF) References Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Citing Articles via Scopus Google Scholar Articles by Coelho, A Articles by de Souza Papi, J A Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Coelho, A Articles by de Souza Papi, J A Social Bookmarking                   What's this?

Long-term thalidomide use in refractory cutaneous lesions of lupus erythematosus: a 65 series of Brazilian patients

Department of Internal Medicine, Clementino Fraga Filho University Hospital, Medical School, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, alycia{at}email.iis.com.br

M ID Souto

Department of Internal Medicine, Clementino Fraga Filho University Hospital, Medical School, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro

C RL Cardoso

Department of Internal Medicine, Clementino Fraga Filho University Hospital, Medical School, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro

D R Salgado

Department of Internal Medicine, Clementino Fraga Filho University Hospital, Medical School, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro

T R Schmal

Department of Internal Medicine, Clementino Fraga Filho University Hospital, Medical School, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro

M Waddington Cruz

Department of Internal Medicine, Clementino Fraga Filho University Hospital, Medical School, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro

J A de Souza Papi

Department of Internal Medicine, Clementino Fraga Filho University Hospital, Medical School, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro

Thalidomide has been reported as efficacious in refractory cutaneous lupus erythematosus (LE). The most fearful side-effects are teratogenicity and neuropathy. We reported clinical efficacy of long-term low-dose use of thalidomide in 65 patients with LE, emphasizing the prevalence of adverse effects, especially of neuropathy and its related factors. Data obtained from medical records included age, sex, disease duration, and the presence of diagnostic criteria for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), the extent and activity of cutaneous lesions and previous treatments. Sixty-three patients (98.9%) presented complete or partial improvement with thalidomide therapy. Drowsiness occurred in 50 patients (77%). Twenty-eight patients (43.2%) presented neuropathy symptoms. Nerve conduction studies were done in 21 (75%) of them and were abnormal in 12 (57%). With the interruption of thalidomide, 24 (82.5%) had complete or partial improvement of neuropathy symptoms and 23 (82%) of them had cutaneous relapse. There were no significant differences between those who developed or not neuropathy in treatment duration, age, total dose and systemic versus cutaneous LE. In conclusion, thalidomide can be used in refractory cutaneous LE with great efficacy and relative security. Controlled studies with schemes with lower doses or intermittent usage or alternative drugs are wanted to reduce the burden of cutaneous morbidity of lupus erythematosus.

Key Words: discoid lupus • lupus erythematosus • refractory • subacute lupus • thalidomide • treatment

Lupus, Vol. 14, No. 6, 434-439 (2005)
DOI: 10.1191/0961203305lu2124oa


CiteULike    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    What's this?

This article has been cited by other articles:

				Thalidomide as a Treatment for Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus Journal Watch Dermatology, August 23, 2005; 2005(823): 3 - 3. [Full Text]