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.
Objective:
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.
Conclusion:
Absence of C3NeF in this case suggests that other immunological factors may be involved in the pathogenesis.
ChartierSBuzzangaJBPaquinF. Partial lipodystrophy associated with a type 3 form of membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis. J Am Acad Dermatol1987; 16:201–205.
9.
GürbüzOYüceltenDErgunT. Partial lipodystrophy. Int J Dermatol1995; 34:36–37.
10.
DahaMRFearonDTAustenKF. C3 nephritic factor (C3NeF): Stabilization of fluid phase and cell-bound alternative pathway convertase. J Immunol1976; 116:1–7.
11.
WayteJBirdGWilkinsonJD. The clinical significance of partial lipoatrophy and C3 hypocomplementaemia: A report of two cases. Clin Exp Dermatol1996; 21:131–134.
CommensCO'NeillPWalkerG. Dermatomyositis associated with multifocal lipoatrophy. J Am Acad Dermatol1990; 22:966–969.
14.
TorreloAEspanaABoixedaP. Partial lipodystrophy and dermatomyositis. Arch Dermatol1991; 127:1846–1847.
15.
KavanaghGMColacoBKennedyCTC. Juvenile dermatomyositis associated with partial lipoatrophy. J Am Acad Dermatol1993; 28:348–351.
16.
HuemerCKitsonHMallesonPN. Lipodystrophy in patients with juvenile dermatomyositis–evaluation of clinical and metabolic abnormalities. J Rheumatol2001; 28:610–615.
17.
PujolRMDomingoPGuiuXM. HIV-1 protease inhibitor-associated partial lipodystrophy: Clinicopathologic review of 14 cases. J Am Acad Dermatol2000; 42:193–198.
18.
PerrotH. Les lipoatrophies localisées. Ann Dermatol Venereol1988; 115:523–527.
19.
TanEMCohenASFriesJF. The 1982 revised criteria for the classification of systemic lupus erythematosus. Arthritis Rheum1982; 25:1271–1277.
LedruEChristeffNPateyO. Alteration of tumor necrosis factor-alpha T-cell homeostasis following potent antiretroviral therapy: Contribution to the development of human immunodeficiency virus-associated lipodystrophy syndrome. Blood2000; 95(10):3191–3198.
22.
MynarcikDCMcNurlanMASteigbigelRT. Association of severe insulin resistance with both loss of limb fat and elevated serum tumor necrosis factor receptor levels in HIV lipodystrophy. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr2000; 25(4):312–321.
23.
PachmanLMLiotta-DavisMRHongDK. TNFalpha-308A allele in juvenile dermatomyositis: Association with increased production of tumor necrosis factor alpha, disease duration, and pathologic calcifications. Arthritis Rheum2000; 43:2368–2377.
24.
DucoursJLPoizacPArdanzaB. Barraquer–Simons syndrome and facial lipo-filling. A propos of a case. Rev Stomatol Chir Maxiliofac1991; 92(2): 105–111.
25.
CarruthersA. Facial lipoatrophy. J Cutan Med Surg2001; 5:33.
26.
OralEASimhaVRuizE. Leptin-replacement therapy for lipodystrophy. N Engl J Med2002; 346(8):570–578.
