What is the Difference Between Discoid Lupus and Systemic Lupus

The key difference between discoid lupus and systemic lupus is that discoid lupus is a form of lupus that specifically affects the skin, while systemic lupus is a form of lupus that can affect any part of the body, including joints, skin, brain, lungs, kidneys, and blood vessels.

Lupus is an autoimmune disease that occurs when the immune system of the body attacks its own tissues and organs. The inflammation that is caused by lupus can affect many organs of the body, such as joints, skin, kidneys, blood cells, brain, heart, and lungs. Discoid lupus and systemic lupus are two different forms of lupus.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Discoid Lupus  
3. What is Systemic Lupus
4. Similarities – Discoid Lupus and Systemic Lupus
5. Discoid Lupus vs. Systemic Lupus in Tabular Form
6. FAQ – Discoid Lupus and Systemic Lupus
7. Summary – Discoid Lupus vs. Systemic Lupus

What is Discoid Lupus?

Discoid lupus is a type of lupus that affects the skin of the human body. People with this condition get round sores on the face or scalp. Moreover, signs and symptoms of discoid lupus may include round, coin-shaped lesions or sores, scaly, thick, or red skin, scars, or skin discoloration. Risk factors for discoid lupus include being female, age 15 to 44, and race (Black, Asian American, Hispanic/ Latino, or Native American).

Discoid lupus can be diagnosed through physical examination and skin biopsy. Furthermore, treatment options for discoid lupus may include steroid ointments, anti-inflammatory drugs (dapsone or lower dose methotrexate), antimalarial drugs (hydroxychloroquine), and calcineurin inhibitors.

What is Systemic Lupus?

Systemic lupus is the most common form of lupus. It can affect the joints, skin, brain, lungs, kidneys, and blood vessels. The exact cause of systemic lupus is still not known. However, it is believed to be linked to environmental (medications, infection, and stress), genetic, and hormonal factors. Moreover, symptoms of this condition may include arthritis, fevers, fatigue, a rash on the face, nose, or cheeks, round scaly rashes anywhere on the body, sensitivity to the sun, hair loss, painless sores in the nose or mouth, change of colour in the fingers and toes, swollen glands, swelling in the legs or around the eyes, pain when breathing deeply or lying down, headaches, dizziness, depression, confusion or seizures, and abdominal pain. The risk factors for systemic lupus are diseases such as endometriosis, atopic dermatitis, allergic rhinitis, lifestyle factors like smoking, drinking, vaccination, and gene polymorphism.

Systematic lupus can be diagnosed through antinuclear antibody (ANA), complete blood count, chest X-ray, serum creatinine test, urinalysis, and biopsy. Furthermore, treatment options for systematic lupus may include giving a low or high dose of corticosteroids, immunosuppressive medicines, other medicines such as mycophenolate, azathioprine, cyclophosphamide, and voclosporin, blood thinners like warfarin, wearing protective clothing, sunglasses, and sunscreen, avoiding tobacco and drinks such as alcohol, counseling, and support groups.

What are the Similarities Between Discoid Lupus and Systemic Lupus?

• Discoid lupus and systemic lupus are two different forms of lupus.
• Both are autoimmune conditions.
• Both conditions can affect the skin.
• They may have similar symptoms, such as rashes or sores on the skin.
• Both conditions can be diagnosed through physical examination and blood tests.
• They can be treated through specific medications.

What is the Difference Between Discoid Lupus and Systemic Lupus?

Discoid lupus is a form of lupus that specifically affects the skin, while systemic lupus is a form of lupus that can affect any part of the body, including joints, skin, brain, lungs, kidneys, and blood vessels. Thus, this is the key difference between discoid lupus and systemic lupus. Furthermore, discoid lupus is a less common form of lupus, whereas systematic lupus is the most common form of lupus.

The infographic below presents the differences between discoid lupus and systemic lupus in tabular form for side-by-side comparison.

FAQ: Discoid Lupus and Systemic Lupus

What is the most severe form of lupus?

Systemic lupus is the most serious form of lupus.

What organ does lupus affect first?

Lupus can affect various organs and systems in the body, but it doesn’t have a specific “first” organ it affects. However, the kidney is the most affected organ by lupus.

Is lupus a genetic disease?

Both genetic and environmental factors can cause lupus.

Summary – Discoid Lupus vs. Systemic Lupus

Lupus is a condition that results in inflammation throughout the body. It is an autoimmune condition that makes the immune system damage organs and tissue of the body. There are four forms of lupus. Discoid lupus and systemic lupus are two different forms among them. Both these forms can affect the skin. However, systemic lupus can affect other parts of the body, including joints, brain, lungs, kidneys, and blood vessels. Moreover, discoid lupus is a less common form of lupus than systematic lupus. So, this summarizes the difference between discoid lupus and systemic lupus.

Reference:

1. “Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE).” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
2. “Discoid Lupus Erythematosus.” Statpearls – NCBI Bookshelf.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Symptoms of SLE” By Mikael Häggström. “Medical gallery of Mikael Häggström 2014”. WikiJournal of Medicine 1 (2). DOI:10.15347/wjm/2014.008. ISSN 2002-4436 (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Shuster sign of discoid lupus ertherymatouses” By Mohammad2018 – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia