Implications of dermoscopy and histopathological correlation in discoid lupus erythematosus in skin of color

Background: Discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE) is chronic dermatosis manifests as scaly indurated plaques with erythema and peripheral hyperpigmentation. Few cases progress to systemic lupus erythematosus. Differentials include lichenoid photo dermatitis, Jessner's lymphocytic infilterate, and polymorphus light eruptions. It is difficult to assess the activity clinically. Histopathology is characteristic and evaluation of disease activity is possible. Dermoscopy is a useful diagnostic method in many dermatoses. Dermoscopy is reflection of histological changes. Hence, dermoscopic features may act as a tool for activity assessment. Here authors have pursued dermoscopic and histopathological correlation in DLE lesions to assess the activity of disease. Aims: To study dermoscopic features in DLE and correlate the patterns with histopathological changes in skin of color. Method: This study was conducted in a tertiary hospital. Clinically suspected and histopathologically proven lesions of DLE were enrolled in this study. The target lesion was marked and sent for biopsy after performing dermoscopy. Activity of the lesion was assessed on the basis of histopathological features. SPSS statistics for windows v20.0 (SPSS Inc, Chicago, USA) was used to analyze data. Chi-square and Fisher's χ² test was used to statistically signify association. Cohen's kappa coefficient was used to determine the agreement. Results: Study included 110 patients with Fitzpatrick skin type IV-V having 120 lesions. Follicular keratotic plug [73 (60.8%)] and peri-follicular whitish halo [65(54.1%)] were commonly found in dermoscopy. Blue-gray and brown dots, telangiectasia, follicular red dots, white rosettes and white areas include other features. Interface dermatitis, peri-appendageal infilterate, melanin incontinence, melanophages and fibrosis were noted in histopathology. Perfect agreement was observed in follicular plugs. Conclusion: Dermoscopy patterns were well correlated with histopathological changes. Thus dermoscopy played an important role in assessing the activity of lesion.