Facial lipoatrophy following systemic lupus erythematosus

Acquired partial lipodystrophy is a rare disorder. An association with systemic lupus erythematosus has been reported. In these cases, an immunologic basis is suggested by the presence of C3 nephritic factor and hypocomplementemia.

The following report presents the case of a woman who developed a rapid loss of facial subcutaneous fat a few months after complete spontaneous resolution of cutaneous lesions of lupus.

Absence of C3NeF in this case suggests that other immunological factors may be involved in the pathogenesis.