Association between discoid lupus erythematosus and cigarette smoking.
BACKGROUND
Discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE) is a chronic cutaneous disease affecting photoexposed areas and has also been associated with cigarette smoking.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the association between smoking and DLE.


METHODS
A case-control study was performed involving 57 cases diagnosed with DLE and 215 healthy controls.


RESULTS
A higher smoking prevalence was noted in DLE cases (84.2%) than controls (33.5%), and the odds ratio adjusted for gender, age and ultraviolet index in the city of origin was 14.4 (95% confidence interval 6.2-33.8; multiple logistic regression, p < 0.01). The cumulative smoking exposure was not related to premature DLE development. At the beginning of the disease, smokers had more extensive involvement than nonsmokers; compromise of the upper arms was statistically related to smoking.


CONCLUSIONS
Cigarette smoking was statistically associated with DLE development. Other studies are needed in order to evaluate the effects of smoking cessation on the course of disease.
Miot
Hélio Amante
HA
Dermatology Department, UNESP Medical School, Botucatu, Brazil. heliomiot@uol.com.br
Bartoli Miot
Luciane Donida
LD
Haddad
Gabriela Roncada
GR
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D016015:Logistic Models; D008179:Lupus Erythematosus, Discoid / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011336:Probability; D011379:Prognosis; D012016:Reference Values; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000453:epidemiology*