The Southern Medical Journal (SMJ) is the official, peer-reviewed journal of the Southern Medical Association. It has a multidisciplinary and inter-professional focus that covers a broad range of topics relevant to physicians and other healthcare specialists.

SMJ // Article

Review Article

The History of Lupus Erythematosus

Authors: Ravi K. Mallavarapu, MD, Edwin W. Grimsley, MD, FACP

Abstract

This article explores the history of lupus erythematosus from the origins of the name to the most modern therapeutic advances. The review includes information about the origin of the name “lupus,” the first clear description of the skin lesions, the discovery of the systemic and discoid forms, and further advances which define our current view of this illness. The classical descriptions of Hippocrates, Paracelsus, Manardi, Rudolph Virchow, Cazenave, Robert Willan, and Moritz Kaposi are chronologically described. Later, the contributions of Sir William Osler, Jonathan Hutchinson, Sequira and Balean, Kraus and Bohac, Libman and Sacks, Malcolm Hargraves, and Edmund L. Dubois are highlighted. The major breakthroughs of the modern period, including the diagnostic tests, animal models, and genetics, are briefly described. The article ends with the history of drug-induced lupus, diagnostic criteria, and the history of the therapy of lupus erythematosus. With modern therapeutic advances, the mortality rate from lupus erythematosus has decreased substantially. It is hoped that current research will further improve the prognosis of this disease in the near future.


Key Points


* The chronicle of lupus erythematosus over the stream of time presents a fascinating study.


* The classical descriptions of lupus are chronologically described and major contributions are highlighted.


* The major breakthroughs of the modern period are briefly described.

This content is limited to qualifying members.

Existing members, please login first

If you have an existing account please login now to access this article or view purchase options.

Purchase only this article ($25)

Create a free account, then purchase this article to download or access it online for 24 hours.

Purchase an SMJ online subscription ($75)

Create a free account, then purchase a subscription to get complete access to all articles for a full year.

Purchase a membership plan (fees vary)

Premium members can access all articles plus recieve many more benefits. View all membership plans and benefit packages.

References

1. Blotzer JW. Systemic lupus erythematosus, I: historical aspects. Md State Med J 1983;32:439–441.
 
2. Holubar K. Terminology and iconography of lupus erythematosus: a historical vignette. Am J Dermatopathol 1980;2:239–242.
 
3. Lahita RG. Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. New York, John Wiley and Sons, 1987.
 
4. Fatovic-Ferencic S, Holubar K. Early history and iconography of lupus erythematosus. Clin Dermatol 2004;22:100–104.
 
5. Bateman T. A Practical Synopsis of Cutaneous Diseases, According to the Arrangements of Dr. Willan. 8th ed. London: Longman, Rees, Orme, Brown, Green and Longman; 1936.
 
6. Smith CD, Cyr M. The history of lupus erythematosus, from Hippocrates to Osler. Rheum Dis Clin North Am 1988;14:1–14.
 
7. Cazenave PLA, Schedel HE. Manual of the Diseases of the Skin. Burgess (trans). London, Henry Renshaw, 1852.
 
8. Hebra F. On Diseases of the Skin including the Exanthemata, Vol 1. Adams F (trans). London, The New Sydenham Society 1866.
 
9. Kaposi M. Lupus vulgaris. In: Hebra, F Kaposi M (eds). On Diseases of the Skin including the Exanthemata, Vol IV. Tay W (trans). London, The New Sydenham Society, 1875.
 
10. Osler W. On the visceral complications of erythema exudativum multiforme. Am J Med Sci 1895;110:629–646.
 
11. Hutchinson J. Lupus erythematosus. Med Times Gaz 1879;1:1–3.
 
12. Hutchinson J. On lupus and its treatment. Br Med J 1880;1:650–652.
 
13. Jadassohn J. Lupus erythematodes. In: Mracek F, editor. Handbuch der Hautkrankheiten. Wein, Alfred Holder, 1904, pp 298–404l.
 
14. Libman E, Sacks B. A hitherto undescribed form of valvular and mural endocarditis. Arch Intern Med1924;33:701.
 
15. Klemperer P, Pollack A, Baehr G. Diffuse collagen disease: acute disseminated lupus erythematosus and diffuse scleroderma. JAMA 1984;251:1593–1594.
 
16. Hargraves MM. Discovery of the LE cell and its morphology. Mayo Clin Proc 1969;44:579–599.
 
17. Friou GJ. Antinuclear Antibodies: diagnostic significance and methods. Arthritis Rheum1967;10:151–159.
 
18. Wasserman A, Neisser A, Bruck C. Eine serodiagnosticsche reaktion bei syphilis. Dtsch Med Wochenschr 1906;32:745–746.
 
19. Pangborn MC. A new serologically active phospholipid from beef heart. Proc Soc Exp Biol Med1941;48:484–486.
 
20. Haserick JR, Long R. Systemic lupus erythematosus preceded by false-positive serologic test for syphilis: presentation of five cases. Ann Intern Med 1952;37:559–565.
 
21. Moore JE, Lutz WB. The natural history of systemic lupus erythematosus: an approach to its study through chronic biological false positive reactions. J Chron Dis 1955;2:297–316.
 
22. Arnett FC, Shulman LE. Studies in familial systemic lupus erythematosus. Medicine (Baltimore)1976;55:313–322.
 
23. Bielschowsky M, Helyer BJ, Howie JB. Spontaneous hemolytic anemia in mice of the NZB/BL strain. Proc Univ Otago Med School 1959;37:9.
 
24. Dubois EL. The effect of the L. E. cell test on the clinical picture of systemic lupus erythematosus. Ann Intern Med 1953;38:1265–1294.
 
25. Payne JF. A post-graduate lecture on lupus erythematosus. Clin J 1894;4:223.
 
26. Hench PS. The reversibility of certain rheumatic and non-rheumatic conditions by the use of cortisone or of the pituitary adrenocorticotrophic hormone. Ann Intern Med 1952;36:1–38.
 
27. Ginzler EM, Dvorkina O. Newer therapeutic approaches for systemic lupus erythematosus. Rheum Dis Clin North Am 2005;31:315–328.
 
28. Georgia Women of Achievement. Available at: http://www.gawomen.org/honorees/oconnorf.htm. Accessed May 9, 2007.
 
29. Cooper M. Beethoven The Last Decade 1817–1827. London, Oxford University Press, 1977 (With a medical appendix by David Larkin).