Cicatricial alopecia: discoid lupus erythematosus

Abstract

Chronic cutaneous lupus erythematosus consists of three major dermatologic diseases: discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE), lupus panniculitis/lupus profundus, and lupus tumidus (Table 1). DLE is estimated to be responsible for 50-85% of patients with chronic cutaneous lupus erythematosus. Scalp involvement is most often the presenting symptom. The clinical features and diagnosis of DLE, its pathophysiology and treatment, are reviewed.