Anetoderma and its prothrombotic abnormalities.
BACKGROUND
Anetoderma is characterized by circumscribed areas of flaccid skin due to the loss of elastic tissue in the dermis. It may be primary or secondary to various dermatoses. The primary form has been reported in association with autoimmune diseases and recently with antiphospholipid antibodies. Its etiology remains unknown.


OBJECTIVE
To analyze clinical and laboratory data from a series of patients with anetoderma referred in our university reference center for connective tissue disorders.


METHODS
All the consecutive patients with histologically confirmed anetoderma followed in our clinic from 1996 to 2001 were enrolled in this study. Laboratory investigations included the screening for prothrombotic abnormalities and classical immunological investigations for systemic lupus erythematosus. Clinical and laboratory data were analyzed retrospectively.


RESULTS
Anetoderma was primary in 9 cases and secondary to lupus profundus in 2 cases. Prothrombotic abnormalities were detected in 10 patients (9/9 with primary and 1/2 with secondary anetoderma). Antiphospholipid antibodies were detected in 9 patients. Only 4 patients fulfilled criteria for definite antiphospholipid syndrome which was primary for 3 and associated with systemic lupus erythematosus in the other.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients with anetoderma should be evaluated for the possible presence of a prothrombotic state and warned of its potential risks when present.
Sparsa
Agnes
A
Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Pitié, 83 Boulevard de l'Hopital, 75651 Paris Cedex 13, Paris, France.
Piette
Jean Charles
JC
Wechsler
Bertrand
B
Amoura
Zahir
Z
Francès
Camille
C
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017152:Antibodies, Antiphospholipid / Q000097:blood; D001284:Atrophy; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000150:complications; D004547:Elastic Tissue / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000150:complications
D017152:Antibodies, Antiphospholipid