Abstract | BACKGROUND: Reticular erythematous mucinosis (REM syndrome) is a rare cutaneous disease that predominantly affects the chest and upper back area of middle-aged women. Although antimalarial treatment is generally considered the most effective approach, only a few case reports exist on its use in REM syndrome. OBSERVATIONS: A total of 11 patients with REM syndrome (10 women and 1 man), mean age, 44 years (age range, 37-54 years), were included in this retrospective analysis. Ten of the 11 patients were cigarette smokers (91%), and 6 had concomitant autoimmune diseases (55%). Since no clinical score exists for REM syndrome, we used the validated Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus Disease Area and Severity Index (CLASI) to evaluate the efficacy of antimalarial treatment. Overall, a significant decrease in the clinical score was observed from a median of 4 (range, 2-8) before initiation of treatment to 0 (range, 0-4) after 3 months of antimalarial therapy and to 0 (range, 0-4) after 12 months of therapy (P < .001). Two patients withdrew from the study owing to adverse gastrointestinal tract effects ( nausea and vomiting); 2 relapsed after finishing their antimalarial regimens; 3 patients were free of disease 2 years after the end of treatment; and 4 patients were lost to follow-up. CONCLUSION:
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Authors | Alexander Kreuter, Nina Scola, Christian Tigges, Peter Altmeyer, Thilo Gambichler |
Journal | Archives of dermatology
(Arch Dermatol)
Vol. 147
Issue 6
Pg. 710-5
(Jun 2011)
ISSN: 1538-3652 [Electronic] United States |
PMID | 21339419
(Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)
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Chemical References |
- Antimalarials
- Steroids
- Chloroquine
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Topics |
- Adult
- Antimalarials
(adverse effects, therapeutic use)
- Chloroquine
(adverse effects, therapeutic use)
- Comorbidity
- Erythema
(drug therapy, epidemiology, pathology)
- Female
- Humans
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Mucinoses
(drug therapy, epidemiology, pathology)
- Retrospective Studies
- Smoking
(epidemiology)
- Steroids
(therapeutic use)
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