Anetoderma in systemic lupus erythematosus: relationship to antiphospholipid antibodies

Anetoderma is an elastolytic disorder where multiple patches of slack skin are formed. Twelve patients with anetoderma associated with systemic lupus erythematous have been described, all in the dermatological literature. Recently, a role for antiphospholipid antibodies has been proposed with microthromboses as its pathogenic mechanism. We present herein a 20-year-old female patient who developed anetoderma soon after sun exposure. She was found to have a false positive VDRL and gradually developed other manifestations of SLE, including interstitial cystitis. She has had repeatedly positive antiphospholipid antibodies. Although there are patients who may have a primary form, diagnosis of anetoderma should trigger a search for SLE and/or antiphospholipid antibodies.