Cutaneous manifestations of selected rheumatologic diseases

Systemic lupus erythematosus, chronic cutaneous lupus erythematosus and subacute and acute cutaneous lupus erythematosus are associated with distinct cutaneous manifestations, and each disease has a particular clinical course and prognosis. Dermatomyositis, an immune-mediated disorder of unknown etiology that is often associated with a malignancy, consists of an inflammatory myopathy combined with characteristic cutaneous findings. Some patients with dermatomyositis also have clinical features that overlap with those of systemic lupus erythematosus or scleroderma. Manifestations of scleroderma range from cutaneous involvement alone to multisystem internal disease. Morphea, progressive systemic sclerosis, eosinophilic fasciitis, eosinophilia myalgia syndrome and mixed connective tissue disease are all within the spectrum of scleroderma.