Do Drug-Induced and Non–Drug-Induced Subacute Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus Differ?

The authors of a case report conclude that distinctive cutaneous features differentiate the two, but Dr. Callen disagrees.

Drug-induced subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus (DI-SCLE) was first described in 1985 in conjunction with the use of hydrochlorothiazide. Since that time, multiple drugs have been reported as potential inducers/exacerbators of this disorder. Do the clinical, laboratory, and serologic features of DI-SCLE differ from those of SCLE unrelated to drugs?

These authors reviewed the cases of 90 patients with SCLE — 11 with DI-SCLE and 79 with idiopathic SCLE. They found widespread disease in 82% of DI-SCLE patients and 6% of idiopathic patients. The DI-SCLE patients also had more occurrences of malar rash (45% vs. 6%), bullous and erythema multiforme–like lesions (45% vs. 1%), and vasculitis-like lesions (45% vs. 6%). The authors note that Ro/SS…

Reviewing Author

Jeffrey P. Callen, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory board XOMA; Eli Lilly; Celgene

Equity Various trust accounts

Editorial boards JAMA Dermatology; UpToDate

Leadership positions in professional societies Association of Professors of Dermatology (President-Elect)