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THE SKIN (DISCOID) LUPUS CENTER OF NEW YORK
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Andrew G. Franks, Jr., M.D., FACP
60 Gramercy Park, Suite 1-N
New York, New York 10010
U.S.A.
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A CENTER OF EXCELLENCE FOR THE DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF LUPUS OF THE SKIN. WE ALSO SPECIALIZE IN SCLERODERMA, MORPHEA, DERMATOMYOSITIS, RAYNAUD'S, & VASCULOPATHY.
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The Skin Lupus Center of New York is dedicated to providing the most advanced diagnosis and treatment available today of all forms of skin (cutaneous) lupus.
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Dr. Franks has over thirty years of experience in providing care for people with lupus of the skin and is uniquely qualified by being Board Certified in Internal Medicine, Rheumatology, and Dermatology. He has lectured extensively and authored numerous articles and textbook chapters on this subject.
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Consultations may be arranged either privately at Gramercy Park Dermatology Associates (212-475-2312) or at New York University Medical Center's Charles C. Harris Skin & Cancer Unit, Connective Tissue Disease Clinic Center of which Dr. Franks is the Director (212-263-5250).
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Additional information can be obtained at the following site hyperlinks:
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If you don't reach the forum directly, sign in to delphi and use the keywords "just for discoid."
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We cannot respond to questions by e-mail.
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QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
Question: My doctor suggested thalidomide for my lupus. How does it compare to hydroxychloroquine?
Answer: Thalidomide is useful in those individuals who either don't respond to the antimalarial drugs such as hydroxychloroquine, or have side effects from them. Generally 75% of people with skin lupus will benefit from the antimalarials. Of the 25% who don't, thalidomide will help 75% of them. In addition, it works quickly, usually within a few weeks. The downside is that you will quickly flare if you stop the drug, unlike the remissions that are often found with the antimalarials. Thalidomide also doesn't help other features of lupus like the arthritis, whereas the antimalarials do. Your doctor will enroll you in the STEPS program which monitors the use of the drug very strictly. Pregnancy is out of the question since the fetus will be severely damaged. Other side effects may include pins and needles in the hands and feet. which may be longlasting, as well as fluid retention and drowziness.
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Question: I have heard about using UVA-1 light to treat lupus?
Answer: UVA-1 light is used in some autoimmune diseases of the skin including morphea. It's use in cutaneous lupus has not reached consensus since the published data has been anecdotal and without reproducibility. UVA-1 light systems have not yet been approved for use in the United States and I would not encourage their use at this time EXCEPT in research centers exploring its potential benefit.
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