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Introduction Demographics Clinical features Diagnosis Treatment
Cutis laxa (Latin for loose or lax skin) is a rare, inherited or acquired connective tissue disorder characterised by loosely hanging skin that lacks any elasticity. The way in which the condition presents itself is different according to how it is inherited or acquired. Cutis laxa is also known as generalised elastolysis.
Connective tissue is the body's supporting framework of tissue consisting of strands of collagen, elastic fibres between muscles and around muscle groups and blood vessels, and simple cells.
Most cases of cutis laxa are inherited. There are several forms of genetic inheritance: sex-linked, autosomal dominant, and autosomal recessive. The recessively inherited form is the most common and also the most severe. Recently discovered, a defective gene on chromosome 5 has been associated with problems in normal elastogenesis and is thought to be the cause of autosomal recessive cutis laxa.
Sex-linked |
The defective gene is carried on one of the sex chromosomes, in this case it is located on the X chromosome. |
Autosomal dominant |
Only one copy of the defective gene is needed for the disease to be present. A child has a 50% chance of inheriting the gene from either parent. |
Autosomal recessive |
Two copies of the defective gene must be inherited for the disease to be present. A child must inherit a defective gene from both parents. The risk of transmitting an autosomal recessive disease is 25% for each pregnancy. |
Acquired cutis laxa may develop at any age, but often begins in adulthood. It may occur spontaneously or in 50% of cases develop following episodes of urticaria or angioedema, extensive inflammatory skin disease (e.g. eczema, erythema multiforme, blistering eruption), or hypersensitivity reactions to penicillin or other drugs.
The actual underlying cause of cutis laxa is unknown. Several mechanisms appear to be involved in reducing elastic fibres.
The clinical features of cutis laxa are different according to the way the condition is inherited.
Inheritance |
Clinical Features |
|---|---|
X-linked |
|
Autosomal dominant |
|
Autosomal recessive (types I and II) |
Type I:
Type II
|
The features of acquired cutis laxa are mainly loose skin, especially in areas of previous inflammation. It has also occurred in association with complement deficiency (C3 and C4), systemic lupus erythematosus, sarcoidosis, multiple myeloma and systemic amyloidosis.
Any part of the body can be affected. In inherited forms of cutis laxa, the loose skin appearance is most prominent around the eyes, face, neck, shoulders and thighs. The skin features include:
Cutis laxa is usually diagnosed clinically, because of its unique clinical features. The pathology of cutis laxa on skin biopsy may be helpful.
There is no specific treatment for cutis laxa or preventing the progression of the disease. Treatment is directed at managing any complications that may arise from associated internal organ involvement.
Cosmetic surgery to reduce redundant skin folds may be performed but often produces only temporary benefit. Patients with cutis laxa, particularly those with the autosomal dominant form usually have a normal life expectancy.
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