Background: Discoid lupus erythematosus is a chronic form of cutaneous (skin) lupus which can cause permanent scarring if treatment is inadequate. Many drugs have been used to treat this disease and some of these are potentially very toxic.
Objectives: To assess the effects of drugs for discoid lupus erythematosus.
Search strategy: We searched the Cochrane Clinical Trials Register (December 1999), MEDLINE (January 1966 to December 1999), EMBASE (January 1980 to January 2000), and the reference lists of relevant reviews. Index Medicus (1956 to 1966) was handsearched and 7 experts in the field were approached for information about unpublished trials.
Selection criteria: Randomised trials of drugs to treat people with discoid lupus erythematosus. Drugs included in the search were azathioprine, chloroquine, clofazimine, corticosteroids, (oral and topical), dapsone, gold, interferon alpha-2a, methotrexate, phenytoin, retinoids, sulphasalazine and thalidomide.
Data collection and analysis: Two reviewers independently examined each retrieved study for eligibility.
Main results: Two trials involving 136 participants were included. In a cross-over study of twelve weeks duration fluocinonide 0.05% cream (a potent topical corticosteroid), appeared to be markedly better than hydrocortisone 1% cream ( a mild corticosteroid). Clearing or excellent improvement was seen in 27% of people using fluocinonide and in 10% of those using hydrocortisone, giving a 17% absolute benefit in favour of fluocinonide (95% CI 4.5 to 29.5% and NNT 6). In the second trial, hydroxychloroquine was compared with acitretin in 58 people. There was marked improvement or clearing in 46% of people using acitretin and in 50% of those on hydroxychloroquine, a nonsignificant 4% absolute gain with hydroxychloroquine (95%CI -23% to 30%). The adverse effects were more frequent and more severe in the acitretin group.
Reviewer's conclusions: Fluocinonide cream may be more effective than hydrocortisone in treating people with discoid lupus erythematosus. Hydroxychloroquine and acitretin appear to be of equal efficacy, although adverse effects are more frequent and more severe with acitretin. There is not enough reliable evidence about other drugs used to treat discoid lupus erythematosus.