In Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, Current Smokers Have More Active Skin Manifestations

Patients with cutaneous systemic lupus erythematosus should stop smoking to control disease, regardless of whether there is an effect of smoking on therapy.

Does smoking impair the activity of antimalarial therapy? Recent evidence has been both positive and negative. Some research has suggested that cutaneous disease is more active in patients who smoke, but the studies were observational, with an inherent bias. Despite general acknowledgement that smoking is associated with health hazards, smokers are often resistant to cessation programs.

To examine the association between smoking and cutaneous involvement in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), investigators examined patients from the 1000 Canadian Faces of Lupus database, which began prospectively enrolling patients in 2005. Of the 1346 patients, 41% were ever smokers — 14% current smokers and 27% former smokers. Current smokers…

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)