title: Acquired facial lipoatrophy: pathogenesis and therapeutic options.
abstract: Facial lipoatrophy refers to the loss of subcutaneous fat tissue presenting by flattening or indentation of convex contour of the face. Facial lipoatrophy is a feature of the normal ageing process. It may be also a manifestation of chronic diseases, most frequently it affects HIV-infected individuals treated with highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) and may constitute a complication of connective tissue diseases, like lupus erythematosus profundus or morphea. Early recognition and treatment of the active stage of connective tissue diseases is of essential significance in prevention of subsequent scarring and atrophy lesions. In HIV-positive patients undergoing HAART therapy, the attempt to modify thetreatment scheme so it has a less lipemic effect seems to be justified. Esthetic correction of facial lipoatrophy in chronic diseases is a great challenge. Improvement of appearance is very important for affected individuals, because it diminishes their stigmatization and psychosocial dysfunction. Facial volumetric correction includes surgical and dermatological procedures such as adipose transfer and injectable dermal fillers.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, Medical University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland. Head of the Department: Prof. Roman Nowicki MD, PhD.
authors.forename: Aneta
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Szczerkowska-Dobosz
authors.affiliation: Students' Scientific Group of Dermatology, Venerology and Allergology Department, Medical University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland. Head of the Department: Aneta Szczerkowska-Dobosz MD, PhD.
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Olszewska
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious Disease, Medical University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland. Head of the Department: Tomasz Smiatacz MD, PhD.
authors.forename: Małgorzata
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lemańska
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, Medical University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland. Head of the Department: Prof. Roman Nowicki MD, PhD.
authors.forename: Dorota
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Purzycka-Bohdan
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, Medical University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland. Head of the Department: Prof. Roman Nowicki MD, PhD.
authors.forename: Roman
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Nowicki
keywords: connective tissue diseases; face lipoatrophy; highly active antiretroviral therapy