Discoid lupus erythematosus
Meaning of discoid lupus erythematosus: For the purposes of this Statement of Principles, discoid lupus erythematosus: (a) means a form of chronic cutaneous lupus erythematosus that commonly presents with erythematous, scaly plaques which often heal with scarring and atrophy, with a preference for the concha of the ear, head or neck; and (b) excludes: (i) acute cutaneous lupus erythematosus; (ii) chilblain lupus erythematosus; (iii) lupus erythematosus-lichen planus overlap syndrome; (iv) lupus erythematosus panniculitis; (v) lupus erythematosus profundus; (vi) lupus erythematosus tumidus; (vii) subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus; (viii) systemic lupus erythematosus. (3) While discoid lupus erythematosus attracts ICD-10-AM code L93.0, in applying this Statement of Principles the meaning of discoid lupus erythematosus is that given in subsection (2). (4) For subsection (3), a reference to an ICD-10-AM code is a reference to the code assigned to a particular kind of injury or disease in The International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, Tenth Revision, Australian Modification (ICD-10-AM), Tenth Edition, effective date of 1 July 2017, copyrighted by the Independent Hospital Pricing Aut
Reasonable Hypothesis (RH) — Statement of Principles No. 49 of 2025
At least one of the following factors must as a minimum exist before it can be said that a reasonable hypothesis has been raised connecting discoid lupus erythematosus or death from discoid lupus erythematosus with the circumstances of a person's relevant service:
- (1)being exposed to sunlight or ultraviolet light at a level sufficient to induce erythema (sunburn) at least 24 hours, but not more than 30 days, before clinical onset or clinical worsening;
- (2)taking any of the following medications at the time of clinical onset or clinical worsening: (a) fluorouracils (including 5-fluorouracil, capecitabine and tegafur), excluding topical agents; (b) immune checkpoint inhibitors; (c) intravenous or subcutaneous immunoglobulin G; (d) leflunomide; (e) palbociclib; (f) secukinumab; (g) tumour necrosis factor-alpha inhibitors;
- (3)taking a medication which is associated with: (a) the development of discoid lupus erythematosus during medication therapy; and (b) the improvement in discoid lupus erythematosus within 3 months of discontinuing medication therapy; where treatment with the drug continued for at least the 3 days before clinical onset or clinical worsening;
- (4)taking estradiol menopausal hormone therapy for at least the 2 years before clinical onset;
- (5)where smoking has not ceased before clinical onset or clinical worsening, smoking at least 10 pack-years before clinical onset or clinical worsening;
Note: one pack-year is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.
- (6)having posttraumatic stress disorder for at least the 3 months before clinical onset or clinical worsening;
- (7)inability to obtain appropriate clinical management for discoid lupus erythematosus before clinical worsening;
Balance of Probabilities (BoP) — Statement of Principles No. 50 of 2025
5 factors
At least one of the following factors must exist before it can be said that, on the balance of probabilities, discoid lupus erythematosus or death from discoid lupus erythematosus is connected with the circumstances of a person's relevant service:
- (1)being exposed to sunlight or ultraviolet light at a level sufficient to induce erythema (sunburn) at least 24 hours, but not more than 30 days, before clinical onset or clinical worsening;
- (2)taking any of the following medications at the time of clinical onset or clinical worsening: (a) fluorouracils (including 5-fluorouracil, capecitabine and tegafur), excluding topical agents; (b) tumour necrosis factor-alpha inhibitors;
- (3)taking a medication which is associated with: (a) the development of discoid lupus erythematosus during medication therapy; and (b) the improvement in discoid lupus erythematosus within 3 months of discontinuing medication therapy; where treatment with the drug continued for at least the 3 days before clinical onset or clinical worsening;
- (4)where smoking has not ceased before clinical onset or clinical worsening, smoking at least 10 pack-years before clinical onset or clinical worsening;
Note: one pack-year is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.
- (5)inability to obtain appropriate clinical management for discoid lupus erythematosus before clinical worsening;
