Isotretinoin Treatment Results in Demodex-positive Discoid Lupus Erythematosus Variant Cases

Discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE) is the most common form of chronic cutaneous lupus erythematosus, characterized by hardened discoid lesions with scaling, primarily on the face and scalp.The efficacy of isotretinoin in treating rosacea has been attributed to its capacity to reduce cutaneous blood flow and the number of sebaceous glands.In addition, isotretinoin has comparable efficacy to other commonly used treatment modalities, such as hydroxychloroquine, in the treatment of refractory subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus (SCLE), DLE, and chronic cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CCLE).Nine Demodex-positive patients with a diagnosis of DLE who were treated at the tertiary Dermatology Clinic between December 2022 and July 2023, with a mean age of 48.78, were included in the study.The lesions responded positively to isotretinoin treatment, and the patients showed partial and complete remission.Isotretinoin's anti-inflammatory properties make it a potential treatment option, especially for Demodex-positive DLE cases.