A Neglected case of Systemic lupus erythematosus presenting by Degos’ skin disease and diffuse non-scarring alopecia with dramatic response to treatment, clinically and dermoscopy.

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Dermatologist, Egyptian fellowship, Egypt

2 consultant Dermatologist, Al mataria teaching hospital,

3 Consultant dermatologist, Cairo Hospital of Dermatology and Venereology (Al Haud Al Marsoud), Egyptian Ministry of Health and Population, Cairo, Egypt.

Abstract

Abstract

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease, hair loss is a common symptom of (SLE), affecting 17.3%-85.2% of patients. Potentially reflecting SLE disease activity. Alopecia in SLE can be scarring, or nonscarring. Although alopecia is not life-threatening, it can be associated with devastating psychosocial consequences, resulting in depression, anxiety, poor quality of life (1).

Degos disease is a rare systemic vaso-occlusive disorder described as erythematous papules with a core atrophic lesion that is porcelain white. Coagulopathy, endothelial cell injury, autoimmune disorder, and vasculitis are the causes. Approximately 15% of Degos disease cases are a benign form often limited to the skin without gastrointestinal or CNS involvement. Patients with connective tissue disease like SLE may develop degos-like lesions, Due to the extensive overlap in clinical characteristics and histological findings that are indistinguishable from those of cutaneous lupus erythematosus in skin lesions from Degos disease (2). Herein, we report a case of Degos disease, non-scarring alopecia with digital ulcer occurring in the setting of systemic LE and discuss the role of dermoscopy in its diagnosis and the prognosis after the treatment.

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