Cutaneous Manifestations of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: A Descriptive Study from a Tertiary Care Center in Southern India

Abstract

Abstract Background: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a complex autoimmune disease that affects multiple systems in the body, including the skin. It is more common in women and usually occurs in the fourth decade of life. The skin is the second most frequently affected organ in SLE, occurring in about 80% of patients. Aim: The purpose of this study was to analyze the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of SLE and evaluate the different patterns of cutaneous involvement in SLE patients. Materials and Methods: Sixty newly diagnosed SLE patients (17 male, 43 female) aged 9–58 years were included in the study. Results: Malar rash was observed in 44 (73.3%) patients, discoid rash in 17 (28.3%) patients, photosensitivity in 38 (63.3%) patients, and oral ulcers in 30 (50%) patients. All these skin lesions were associated with underlying systemic involvement. Conclusion: Our study found that active cutaneous manifestations of SLE were strongly correlated with systemic involvement.