The Relationship Between Discoid and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

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Abstract
PREVIOUS RESEARCH on cutaneous lupus erythematosus lesions has been directed at examining the relationship between the scarring lesions of discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and the pathogenesis of the lesions of cutaneous lupus erythematosus. The lesions of DLE generally occur as scarring isolated cutaneous lesions in the absence of systemic features. However, studies of large populations of patients with SLE indicate that approximately 15% to 20% of patients with SLE (satisfying the American College of Rheumatology criteria for SLE) also possess discoid lupus lesions.1 In addition, it has been recognized that over time approximately 5% to 10% of patients with DLE will develop clinical features that satisfy the American College of Rheumatology diagnosis of SLE. Previous studies by Kulick et al2 have indicated that approximately 25% of patients with DLE possess anti—single-stranded DNA antibodies of the IgM isotype. Furthermore, Callen et al3 have