STUDY ON HISTOPATHOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OS LUPUS SKIN LESIONS IN PATIENTS WITH SYSTEM LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the histopathological characteristics of LE-specific skin lesions in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

Subjects and methods: 77 SLE patients at Vietnam National Hospital of Dermatology and Venereology from 2015 to 2018 were included in this cross-sectional study. A histopathological examination was done and findings were noted.

Results: ACLE accounted for 60%, SCLE (16.3%), and DLE lesions (20.0%). Hyperkeratosis, epidermal atrophy, basement membrane thickening, and vacuolization of basal cells are common signs in SCLE and DLE (p < 0.05). SCLE had the highest number of epidermal Colloid bodies (53.8%). Superficial dermal edema was most common in ACLE (60.4%, p < 0.05). Dermal Colloid bodies and melanin-containing melanophages were most common in DLE (31.2% and 75%, p < 0.01). The rate of adnexal structures destruction was highest in DLE at 25% (p < 0.01). 100% of LE-specific skin lesions had mucin deposition in the dermis.

Conclusion: Histopathological results of acute, subacute and chronic LE-specific skin lesions have some common features. However, the rates and intensity of these features may vary with the type of LE-specific skin lesions. Dermal mucin deposition is a useful histopathological feature for diagnosis.