Lupus erythematosus: a disease that goes beyond skin
Written by:The lupus erythematosus ( LE) is a complex autoimmune disease whose manifestations are varied. One of the most frequently occurs in the skin.
When a patient presents to the dermatologist consultation with lesions of lupus erythematosus may be concerned that only a limited skin painting or a manifestation of a systemic picture with possible internal organ. This is what we call a systemic lupus erythematosus or SLE. In fact the skin is the second affected quadromas in SLE patients, and skin lesions represent 4 of the 11 diagnostic criteria for SLE.
Skin Manifestations
The cutaneous manifestations of lupus erythematosus are very variable and include among others: discoid LE, LE tumido, photosensitivity, alopecia, lupus panniculitis, lupus perniosis, cutaneous vasculitis, urticaria - vasculitis, white atrophy, Raynaud's phenomenon etc.. The clinical appearance of the lesions is very variable, and can be confused with many diseases of the skin. Therefore, to make the diagnosis will be crucial to perform biopsies of skin lesions and perform analytic studies adequate to rule out SLE.
topical and systemic therapy
Treatment of LE includes some important general measures such as avoiding the sun, using broad spectrum sunscreens and quit, since the snuff worse cutaneous LE lesions and can lead to treatments fail. If it is an exclusively cutaneous LE lesions and few can be adequately treated only with topical medications (corticosteroids and immunomodulators high power ).
Forms extensive cutaneous LE and SLE tables also specify the use of systemic drugs such as antimalarials ( chloroquine, hydroxychloroquine ), systemic corticosteroids and immunosuppressant. Among the latter highlights the newest addition to the therapeutic arsenal of mycophenolate ( a drug that comes from transplantation medicine ) that is providing very good results.
