Subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus: a cutaneous marker for a distinct lupus erythematosus subset

Abstract

The clinical and laboratory features of 27 patients who had in common a recurring, superficial, nonscarring type of cutaneous lupus erythematosus (LE) that occurred in a characteristic distribution (subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus [SCLE]) were characterized. This clinically distinct form of cutaneous LE has not previously been analyzed as a separate entity and thus its clinical importance has not been fully appreciated. These patients frequently had a mild systemic illness marked by musculoskeletal complaints and serologic abnormalities. Of the patients, 48% had systemic LE by American Rheumatism Association criteria; none had serious CNS or renal disease. Those with SCLE are a subset of patients with LE who generally have an illness intermediate in severity between discoid LE and severe systemic LE.