Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus: Epidemiology, Association with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Comorbidity

Lupus erythematosus (LE) is a chronic disease that includes a broad spectrum of symptoms. Lupus is Latin for wolf; perhaps the skin lesions were thought to resemble wolf bites. LE is included among the connective tissue diseases and is divided into systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE). These can occur together or separately. The classification of CLE was difficult and confusing until two American dermatologists (Gilliam and Sontheimer) devised a new improved classification that gained wide acceptance. According to Gilliam and Sontheimer, the cutaneous manifestations of LE can be divided into LE-specific and LE-non-specific skin manifestations based on histopathological findings. LEspecific skin manifestations show a typical histopathological picture with a lichenoid tissue reaction (interface dermatitis). LE-specific skin manifestations can be further subdivided into acute CLE (ACLE), subacute CLE (SCLE) and chronic CLE (CCLE), where classic discoid LE (DLE) is the most common form.