Dermal Filler Injections in Patients with Autoimmune and Inflammatory Rheumatic Diseases-The Patients' Perspective

BACKGROUNDInjecting dermal fillers in patients with autoimmune inflammatory rheumatic diseases (AIIRDs) is controversial.OBJECTIVETo evaluate the attitudes of patients with AIIRDs regarding the use of dermal fillers and the side effects of those who underwent them.METHODSPatients with AIIRDs who attended a rheumatology outpatient clinic between 2016 and 2018 filled in a questionnaire about their attitudes toward dermal filler injections. The questionnaire evaluated information received from professionals and the factors that influenced their decision of whether or not to undergo the procedures.RESULTSOverall, 194 patients with AIIRDs (mean age 56.5 ± 14.0, 99% women) responded. Forty-two of them had previously undergone the injections and intended to repeat them (Group A), 37 had not received filler injections but intended to do so (Group B), and 114 who had never undergone them did not intend to undergo them. The major motivation for undergoing filler injections was social. Patients treated with dermal fillers refrained from informing their rheumatologist about their injections. They were, however, highly satisfied with the procedure and reported negligible side effects.CONCLUSIONThe use of dermal fillers was apparently safe and well received by patients with AIIRDs. Physicians' recommendations to refrain from injecting them with dermal fillers should be reconsidered and evaluated in clinical studies.