Concurrence of Lupus Erythematosus and Dermatitis Herpetiformis

Nine cases of lupus erythematosus (LE) associated with dermatitis herpetiformis (DH), seen at the Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn, were reviewed. The female to male ratio was seven to two. In seven patients DH developed first, followed by systemic LE in five and by discoid LE in two. In two patients systemic LE developed first, followed by DH. Since multiple autoimmune diseases have been reported in association with LE, and since similar HLA antigens have been found in patients with DH or LE, there is very likely an immunologic relationship between the two diseases.