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The following is a summary of “Epidemiology of isolated Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus in the multiethnic population of Reunion Island (France): a retrospective multicentric study,” published in the December 2024 issue of Rheumatology by Maille et al.
Data on cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE) in the Southern Hemisphere and multiethnic populations is limited.
Researchers conducted a retrospective study on isolated CLE in Reunion Island’s multiethnic population and analyzed its prevalence, incidence, and clinical characteristics.
They conducted the study in public hospitals and private dermatology clinics on Reunion Island. Cases of isolated CLE, defined as those not fulfilling the criteria for Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), were identified through databases covering 2008–2021. Prevalence was calculated for January 1, 2022, using capture-recapture analysis.
The results showed 268 CLE cases, including 218 incident cases. The standardized prevalence was 43/100,000 persons, and the annual incidence was 3.1/100,000 person-years. Capture-recapture analysis estimated prevalence at 99/100,000 persons [95%CI: 77.10-136.45] and annual incidence at 5.7/100,000 person-years [95%CI: 4.40-7.95]. The mean age at diagnosis was 41.7 years, with a female-to-male ratio of 4:1. Dark-skinned patients had a higher rate of discoid CLE and were more likely to receive immunosuppressants. Generalized discoid CLE, panniculitis, and overlapping subtypes were predictive of progression to SLE.
They found that the prevalence and incidence of CLE in Reunion Island’s multiethnic population were higher than in light-skinned populations. They identified new risk factors for progression to SLE that practitioners should consider for proper follow-up.
Source: jrheum.org/content/early/2024/11/25/jrheum.2024-0661
