Lupus panniculitis is considered a rare subtype of chronic cutaneous lupus erythematosus with tender indurated subcutaneous nodules or plaques located most frequently on the face, proximal extremities, breasts, and buttocks, with or without overlying cutaneous changes.

Lupus panniculitis is sometimes termed lupus profundus and can be associated with overlying discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE) in approximately one-third of patients. Lupus panniculitis is thought to be caused by an autoimmune reaction in the deep dermis and adipose tissue. The first stage of lupus panniculitis is active inflammation with painful nodules, followed by the second stage of subcutaneous atrophy that can be cosmetically disfiguring.

Lupus panniculitis, like systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), occurs more commonly in women. Lupus panniculitis develops in approximately 5% of patients with SLE but can occur as an isolated disease. Cutaneous manifestations of lupus panniculitis can develop years before or after the diagnosis of SLE. The average age of onset is 30-40s.

Male sex, lower extremity involvement, and concomitant DLE are associated with SLE.