Are Tattoos Safe in Patients With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus? Results From a Single-Center Study

Are Tattoos Safe in Patients With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus? Results From a Single-Center Study

Authors

  • Francesco Natalucci Lupus Clinic, Rheumatology, Dipartimento di Scienze Cliniche Internistiche Anestesiologiche e Cardiovascolari, Sapienza Università di Roma
  • Fulvia Ceccarelli Lupus Clinic, Rheumatology, Dipartimento di Scienze Cliniche Internistiche Anestesiologiche e Cardiovascolari, Sapienza Università di Roma
  • Licia Picciariello Lupus Clinic, Rheumatology, Dipartimento di Scienze Cliniche Internistiche Anestesiologiche e Cardiovascolari, Sapienza Università di Roma
  • Giulio Olivieri Lupus Clinic, Rheumatology, Dipartimento di Scienze Cliniche Internistiche Anestesiologiche e Cardiovascolari, Sapienza Università di Roma, Roma, Italy
  • Claudia Ciancarella Lupus Clinic, Rheumatology, Dipartimento di Scienze Cliniche Internistiche Anestesiologiche e Cardiovascolari, Sapienza Università di Roma
  • Cristiano Alessandri Lupus Clinic, Rheumatology, Dipartimento di Scienze Cliniche Internistiche Anestesiologiche e Cardiovascolari, Sapienza Università di Roma
  • Fabrizio Conti Lupus Clinic, Rheumatology, Dipartimento di Scienze Cliniche Internistiche Anestesiologiche e Cardiovascolari, Sapienza Università di Roma

Keywords:

Tattoo , tattoo reaction, Autoimmune disease, Cutaneous lupus erythematosus, systemic lupus erythematosus

Abstract

Introduction: Systemic Lupus Erythematosus is a pleiotropic autoimmune disease with common skin involvement. To date, only one study has investigated tattoos safety in SLE patients.

Objective: We performed a single-center study to evaluate the development of local and systemic complications after tattooing in a cohort of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients. Furthermore, we tried to identify SLE patients who had expressed the will to get a tattoo and why they decided not to. 

Methods: Consecutive SLE patients were asked to complete a questionnaire about tattoos, including their number, features, and side effects. Open questions were proposed to non-tattooed patients to describe why they did not have tattoos.

Results: One hundred ninety-two SLE patients were enrolled [M/F 21/171; median age 41 years (IQR 18)]. Almost 50% of them had at least one tattoo. Seven patients (7.4%) referred adverse reactions to tattoos; interestingly, only one patient experienced a systemic reaction, specifically the occurrence of self-limiting lymphadenopathy. The main reason for not getting a tattoo was the diagnosis of SLE. 

Conclusions: Our results suggest the safety of tattoos in SLE patients, as demonstrated by a low prevalence of mild adverse events.

Author Biographies

Cristiano Alessandri, Lupus Clinic, Rheumatology, Dipartimento di Scienze Cliniche Internistiche Anestesiologiche e Cardiovascolari, Sapienza Università di Roma

Professor

Fabrizio Conti, Lupus Clinic, Rheumatology, Dipartimento di Scienze Cliniche Internistiche Anestesiologiche e Cardiovascolari, Sapienza Università di Roma

Professor

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Published

2024-10-30

How to Cite

1.
Are Tattoos Safe in Patients With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus? Results From a Single-Center Study . Dermatol Pract Concept [Internet]. 2024 Oct. 30 [cited 2024 Nov. 7];14(4):e2024230. Available from: https://dpcj.org/index.php/dpc/article/view/4327

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