Lupus panniculitis: clinical perspectives from a case series

J Rheumatol. 1999 Jan;26(1):68-72.

Abstract

Objective: To review clinical and laboratory features of lupus panniculitis from a large group of patients.

Methods: Retrospective chart review of patients diagnosed with lupus panniculitis at a tertiary medical center from 1976 to 1993.

Results: Lupus panniculitis occurred most frequently in adult women. Skin lesions involved proximal extremities, trunk, face, and scalp. Only 4 of 40 patients fulfilled criteria for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and, other than positive antinuclear antibodies, a paucity of other autoantibodies was seen. Average disease duration was 6 years (range 0-38). Treatment with antimalarial agents was undertaken in most cases. Disease related morbidity (disfigurement and disability) was relatively common, but death was rare.

Conclusion: Lupus panniculitis is a chronic inflammatory disease of subcutaneous adipose tissue that can develop during the course of SLE, although most patients do not develop systemic lupus.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / physiopathology
  • Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / therapy
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Panniculitis, Lupus Erythematosus / physiopathology*
  • Panniculitis, Lupus Erythematosus / therapy
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Treatment Outcome