<p class="abstract"><strong>Background:</strong> Discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE) is the commonest form of cutaneous lupus erythematosus.The objective of our study is to analyze the clinical and epidemiological aspects of DLE.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Methods:</strong> All clinically diagnosed cases of DLE attending the dermatology OPD from October 2010 to September 2012were included in the study. A detailed history, complete physical examination, biopsy for confirmation and other relevant investigations were done in all cases.<strong></strong></p><p class="abstract"><strong>Results:</strong> The incidence was 4.79 per 10000 cases (51 of 106368 dermatology patients) showing female to male ratio of 4.1:1. Localized type was more common than the disseminated type. Few lesions (less than five) in a localized area without head and neck involvement were also classified as localized type in this study. Mucosal, verrucous, tumid and lupus panniculitis were the variants of DLE encountered. The sites involved were face, scalp, trunk, upper and lower limb in descending order of frequency. Antinuclear antibody (ANA) was positive in 22 of 30 cases done (73%). The systemic involvement was seen in 15 patients all of whom were diagnosed as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Squamous cell carcinoma was seen in 2 cases of disseminated DLE.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Conclusions:</strong> Majority of patients had disease onset at 3^rd to 5^th decade showing female predominance. When compared to localized type, disseminated type was found more frequently in males. Early onset and severe disease was noted among offspring born to a patient suffering from disseminated DLE. Serious morbidity like lupus nephritis was observed only in 1 case. The occurrence of DLE over the herpes zoster scar was an interesting observation.</p>

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Background: Chronic inflammatory diseases take an important place in dermatology and their effects range from mild itching to grave metabolic complications. In psoriasis, association with metabolic syndrome (MS) has been proved in many studies. Chronic inflammation is a trigger of MS, and in turn, the components of MS, namely obesity and dyslipidemia, promote a pro-inflammatory milieu. Thus, chronic inflammation causes MS and vice versa. Hence, the study focuses on association of MS with lichen planus (LP), another chronic inflammatory disease. Aim: The aim of this study is to find the association of MS with all variants of LP. Materials and Methods: An observational study for MS in all patients with LP who attended skin outpatient department (OPD) for 6 months from February 2016. International Diabetes Federation criteria 2005 were used. The confounding variables of MS such as smoking, alcohol, and physical activity were assessed for its significance in the association of LP with MS. Results: Out of 113 cases, 21 cases were found to be associated with MS. Among them, 8 cases (38.09%) were of eruptive LP, which showed significant association with MS when compared to other variants. MS cases were significantly high in females and in the age group of 41–50 (57.1%). Due to unequal distribution of smoking and alcohol habits, they were not taken into account for analysis. Physical activity had no significant association with MS in our study population. Waist circumference (WC) being the mandatory criterion in all variants associated with MS, dyslipidemia was the next frequently encountered criteria except in eruptive LP. High BP was less commonly noted criteria. Conclusion: Eruptive LP showed significant association with MS. Further studies with large sample size in each variant and control group are needed to confirm it which are the limitations in our study.

INTRODUCTION There are a wide spectrum of adverse cutaneous drug reactions (ACDRs) varying from transient maculopapular rash to fatal toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN). With the advent of newer and targeted therapy in the field of dermatology, the pattern of cutaneous adverse drug eruptions and the drugs responsible for them keep changing every year. Hence, this study was undertaken to ascertain the clinical spectrum of ACDRs and the causative drugs, in a tertiary care centre in South India. MATERIALS AND METHODS This study was a prospective, observational study conducted in Department of Medical Oncology, Government Rajaji Hospital, Madurai Medical College, Madurai during the period of March 2015-August 2015 (6 months). Severity of the reaction was assessed using CTCAE (Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events) scale version 4.1. Causality of the drug was assessed using Naranjo Causality Assessment Scale. The scale was calculated first for the regimen and then for individual drugs separately. The adverse events with score of 6 or more (probable and definite adverse events) were taken for the study. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION The overall incidence of ACDRs found in this study was 85%. Alopecia was the commonest ACDR occurring in 51.6% of patients. Nail pigmentation and supravenous pigmentation were the next common ACDRs, recorded in 35% and 16% of patients respectively. Imatinib caused generalised hypopigmentation in 40% of patients. Bleomycin induced, flagellate erythema and pigmentation in 17% of patients and stomatitis was seen in 11% of patients. Acneiform eruptions were recorded with erlotinib and gefitinib therapy. Supravenous pigmentation was common with 5-fluorouracil and docetaxel, occurring in 53% & 48% respectively. Newer targeted therapies like EGFR (Epidermal growth factor receptor) inhibitors recorded low incidence of ACDRs like alopecia as against conventional antineoplastic agents. The cancer chemotherapeutic drugs are associated with varied adverse effects. Knowledge of these drug eruptions, the causative drugs and the prognostic indicators are essential for the treating clinician.