Antimalarial Agents Are Effective for Reticular Erythematous Mucinosis

Most patients had excellent results in this small, retrospective study of a disease that may be part of the lupus erythematosus spectrum.

Reticular erythematous mucinosis (REM) presents as persistent erythema in a reticular pattern or as confluent erythematous papules and plaques that lack scale or other surface changes, appearing most commonly in women, on the chest and upper back. Antimalarial therapy is among the favored forms of therapy.

In a retrospective study, researchers used the Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus Disease Area and Severity Index (CLASI) to judge the responsiveness of 11 patients with REM to antimalarial therapy. Because the analysis was retrospective, the investigators used available photographs (several are presented with the article). Most patients were smokers (which decreases the effectiveness of antimalarial therapy), and yet they had excellent respons…

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)