A Rare Cutaneous Manifestation of the Systemic Erythematosus Lupus: The Chilblain Lupus – A Clinical Case
Chilblain lupus was first described in 1880 by Hutchinson as
“pernicious lesions that appear in patients with cutaneous or
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)”.
According to the Millard et al series, up to 11.3% of patients with
SLE can develop a chilblain lupus.
At this point, it is necessary to clarify that the term
lupus pernio is commonly used to describe a characteristic
cutaneous form of sarcoidosis while chilblain lupus is used to describe
lupus erythematous lesions
The prevalence is 3-20% of patients with lupus and,
moreover, occurs more frequently in women. It is characterized by
purpuric erythematous-violet plaques located in the distal regions,
such as the ears, nose, fingers and toes.
It has a symmetrical distribution, and they are usually
edematous, itchy and sometimes painful lesions.
They generally occur as a result of exposure to changes
in temperature.
This disorder can appear as an idiopathic dermatosis,
usually in young women, but occasionally it is associated
with diseases such as anorexia, intestinal lymphoma,
chronic myelomonocytic leukemia, monoclonal gammopathies,
cryoproteinaemia, viral infections and some connective tissue diseases.
Two major criteria and at least one minor criteria are required to make the diagnosis. The
diagnosis must rely heavily on histology, although it is not pathognomonic.
Osteol Rheumatol Open J. 2020; 1(1): 40-42. doi: 10.17140/ORHOJ-1-112
