Is Polymorphous Light Eruption Associated with Other Diseases?

Polymorphous light eruption (PLE) is considered a disease only of the skin. But is this the case? A follow-up study from Finland of 94 patients with PLE evaluated the natural history of this disease and possible associations with autoimmune disease, including lupus erythematosus.

At an average of 32 years after the onset of symptoms, PLE had spontaneously resolved in 24% of patients. Symptoms were unchanged or worse in 24% and symptoms were milder in the remainder. When compared to the normal age- and sex-matched European population, the prevalence of lupus erythematosus was no different. The prevalence of any autoimmune disease was 22% in PLE patients (most commonly thyroid disease, rheumatoid arthritis, or vitiligo), as compared with 5% to…