Subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus

Skin lesions: The concept that patients with subacute cutaneous lupus eryth ematosus (SCLE) skin lesions represent a distinct lupus erythematosus subse t was proposed in 1979 by Sontheimer and supported by many studies. Skin le sions are papulo-squamous, psoriasiform or annular. Photo-sensitivity is a common complaint and photoreproduction is significantly frequent in these p atients. They persist for weeks or months and typically heal without atroph y or scarring with hyperpigmentation or more often hypopigmentation. Systemic involvement: Systemic disease is generally quite mild and the pron ostic is usually favourable. High-titer, precipitating antibodies to Ro/SSA and HLA DR2 and/or HL4 DR3 are strongly associated with SCLE. In some obse rvations, the relation-ship between SCLE and drugs has been recognized. Treatment: Antimalarial agents are first line systemic treatment Other ther apies, including Thalidomide are hepful for patients with resistant disease . The pathomechanisms of photosensitive SCLE involved antigens Ro/SSA, epid ermal and dermal cytokines, intercellular adhesion molecules, mononuclear c ells.