[A new case of Rowell's syndrome]

Cutaneous drug-induced lupus erythematosus: Clinical and immunological characteristics and update on new associated drugs

Cutaneous drug-induced lupus erythematosus (CDILE) is a lupus-like syndrome related to drug exposure which typically resolves after drug discontinuation. It can present as a systemic or a sole cutaneous form and different drugs may be associated with each form. CDILE pharmacoepidemiology is constantly changing. Indeed, older drugs primarily associated with systemic CDILE are no longer prescribed and new drugs associated with either cutaneous or systemic CDILE have emerged. The present study discusses the clinical and laboratory aspects of CDILE and the postulated pathogenesis, and it provides an update on implicated drugs. We performed a literature review to single out the new drugs associated with CDILE in the past decade (January 2010-June 2020). Among 109 drugs reported to induce CDILE in 472 patients, we identified anti-TNFα, proton-pump inhibitors, antineoplastic drugs, and, in particular, checkpoint inhibitors, as emerging drugs in CDILE. Most of the published studies are cases reports or small case series, and further larger studies as well as the development of validated classification criteria are needed to better understand and characterize their implication in CDILE.

Rowell-Syndrom bei subakut-kutanem Lupus erythematodes

Wir berichten über einen 77-jährigen Patienten mit akut aufgetretenen, kokardenartig anmutenden Hautveränderungen bei vorbekanntem subakut-kutanem Lupus erythematodes.

Aufgrund der Befundkonstellation mit fein-gesprenkelten antinukleären Antikörpern, Antikörpern gegen Ro/SSA und La/SSB und einem positiven Rheumafaktor wurde in Zusammenschau mit der Histologie die Diagnose eines Rowell-Syndroms gestellt. Das Rowell-Syndrom beschreibt das Auftreten Erythema-exsudativum-multiforme-artiger Hautveränderungen bei Patienten mit vorbekanntem Lupus erythematodes.

Die diagnostischen Herausforderungen bei der Diagnosestellung des Rowell-Syndroms in Abgrenzung zur Koinzidenz von Lupus erythematodes mit einem Erythema exsudativum multiforme werden anhand einer weiteren Fallbeschreibung einer 44-jährigen Patientin mit vorbekanntem subakut-kutanem Lupus erythematodes veranschaulicht.

A Case of Rhupus with Rowell Syndrome

We report a case of 30-year-old female who presented initially with hair loss, photosensitive malar rash, morning stiffness and synovitis. She was diagnosed with Rhupus syndrome based on clinical and laboratory findings. Few months after starting hydroxychloroquine, esomeprazole and azathioprine, and failing methotrexate (because of erosive pill-induced esophagitis), she presented with generalized maculopapular dusky reddish rash in her body, back and extremities. Her anti-double stranded-DNA, anti-nuclear antibody, anti-Ro/SSA and anti-La/SSB were positive. Anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody was moderately positive. She had low complements: C3 and C4. Herpes simplex IgM and mycoplasma tested negative. Skin biopsy from right arm showed evidence of erythema multiform. She met the criteria for the diagnosis of Rowell syndrome. We managed her with hydroxychloroquine, prednisolone, mycophenolate mofetil and topical agents and discontinued esomeprazole. We also review the management of Rowell syndrome in the literature.