Anti-Ro-positive lupus and hereditary angioneurotic edema. A 7-year follow-up with worsening of lupus under danazol treatment.

A 24-year-old woman, having familial hereditary angioneurotic edema (HAE) treated with danazol, developed an anti-Ro-positive lupus featured by a mild erythematous eruption that seemed initially to decrease and then worsened under danazol, and dramatically improved after danazol was withdrawn. The relationship between lupus and HAE is discussed with special reference to the hormonal sensitivity of autoimmune diseases. It is possible that the responsibility of danazol as well as the immunogenetic background can explain the clinical course of this association.