Abstract:
Erythema nodosum (EN) is a cutaneous reaction consisting of inflammatory, tender nodular lesions and is associated with a wide variety of disease processes. The aim of our study was to investigate the frequency of different aetiologies of EN. One hundred and thirty-two EN patients were investigated in a prospective study during the period 1984–1990. The evaluation of all patients began with a medical and family history and completed with a thorough physical examination and detailed laboratory and immunological work-up. In addition, various diagnostic procedures were performed where and when indicated. One hundred and ten patients (83%) were women. Their mean age was 41.0 ± 14.0 years, range 18–79 years. In 35% the cause of EN was not found. Sarcoidosis was revealed in 28% of the patients, infections in 17.3% and tuberculosis in 1.5%. Other aetiologic factors were Adamantiadis–Behçet’s syndrome (3.8%), pregnancy (6%), oral contraceptives (3.8%) and other drugs (3.8%). The aetiology of EN was not found in 35% of the patients. Sarcoidosis and infections were frequent causes of EN, whereas autoimmune rheumatic diseases rarely cause EN.
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Received: 31 May 1999 / Accepted: 2 December 1999
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Psychos, D., Voulgari, P., Skopouli, F. et al. Erythema Nodosum: the Underlying Conditions. Clin Rheumatol 19, 212–216 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1007/s100670050159
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s100670050159