Epidemiological, Clinical, Trichoscopic, and Histopathological Features of Lupus Erythematosus Mimicking Alopecia Areata: A Multicenter Retrospective Study

    January 2022 in “ Skin Appendage Disorders ”
    Daniel Fernandes Melo, Paulo Müller Ramos, Matilde Iorizzo, Caren dos Santos Lima, Érica Baptista Pinto, Rita Fernanda Cortez de Almeida, Carla Jorge Machado, Michela Starace
    TLDR Lupus erythematosus can mimic alopecia areata, and trichoscopy is key for accurate diagnosis and better patient outcomes.
    This multicenter retrospective study analyzed 10 patients (90% female, mean age 45.9 years) with lupus erythematosus (LE) mimicking alopecia areata (AA). Key clinical features included erythema (60%) and incomplete hair loss (70%). Trichoscopic findings such as interfollicular arborizing vessels (90%) and scattered brown discoloration (80%) were common, while histopathology revealed perivascular inflammation (85.7%) and peribulbar lymphocytes (85.7%). The study concluded that trichoscopy is essential for differentiating LE from AA, guiding biopsies, and improving diagnostic accuracy and patient outcomes. The study's limitations include its small sample size and retrospective design.
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