Epidemiological analysis of cutaneous forms of lupus erythematosus in Moscow (2017–2022)

The article presents a comprehensive analysis of the incidence of cutaneous forms of lupus erythematosus (CLE) in Moscow for the period from 2017 to 2022, emphasizing the dynamics and key characteristics of the spread of this chronic autoimmune disease. Lupus erythematosus (LE) can manifest as an independent skin disease or as part of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), with varying probabilities of transition from one form to the other. The study highlights specific clinical forms of CLE, such as acute, subacute and chronic cutaneous lupus, as well as discoid lupus and other subtypes, discussing their likelihood of progression to SLE. The authors focus on the epidemiological aspects of CLE, pointing out the influence of gender, age, ethnicity and race, as well as the role of geographic factors in the spread of the disease. Considerable attention is paid to the potential impact of SARS-CoV‑2 infection and the effects of COVID‑19 vaccination on the development and exacerbation of CLE, emphasizing the need for additional research to understand the relationship between COVID‑19 and autoimmune reactions. The article is based on the analysis of data from medical databases and a retrospective review of patient charts, which allowed the authors to notice a steady increase in the incidence of CLE during the study period, especially among women. The observed increase in incidence may be associated with a number of factors, including changes in diagnostics, access to medical care, as well as the COVID‑19 pandemic as a possible provoking factor. The study emphasizes the importance of the obtained results for the medical community, focusing on the need to develop targeted strategies for the diagnosis, treatment and control of CLE to improve the quality of life of patients. The authors call for future studies to deeply study the dynamics of the incidence and its relationship with various factors, including the COVID‑19 pandemic.

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