[Localized scleroderma: a retrospective study about 92 cases]

Tunis Med. 2009 Sep;87(9):573-8.
[Article in French]

Abstract

Background: Sclerodermas are rare affections which can be located or generalized. Localized form is the most frequent.

Aim: The purpose of this study was to describe epidemiologic, clinics, biological, immunological, therapeutic, evolutionary characteristics of the localized scleroderma through a personal series and the data of the literature.

Method: We have performed a retrospective study on all patients followed in the department of dermatology of the Hospital Charles Nicole during 14 years period.

Results: Our study was about 92 cases of localized scleroderma (73 were females and 19 males). The mean age was 35 years (between 2 and 72 years). The majority of localised sclerodermas (66.2% of the cases) appeared before 40 years with a maximum of frequency between 10 and 30 years (41.6%). Only 11.9% of the cases were observed before 10 years. They were 51 cases (55%) of morphea, 35 cases (38%) of scleroderma in bands including 32 linear scleroderma and 3 scleroderma en coup de sabre, 5 cases (5.5%) of generalized morphea and 1 case (0.15%) of deep morphea. Average therapeutic was specified among 63 patients (87%), and the evolution could be appreciated among 45 patients.

Conclusion: The epidemiologic data observed in our series are comparable with those reported in the literature. Therapeutic difficulties and risks of functional after-effects, particular in scleroderma in bands, remain the principal concern for all the authors.

Publication types

  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones / therapeutic use
  • Adult
  • Age Factors
  • Aged
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / administration & dosage
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / therapeutic use
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Female
  • Glucocorticoids / administration & dosage
  • Glucocorticoids / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Prednisone / administration & dosage
  • Prednisone / therapeutic use
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Scleroderma, Localized* / complications
  • Scleroderma, Localized* / diagnosis
  • Scleroderma, Localized* / drug therapy
  • Scleroderma, Localized* / epidemiology
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Glucocorticoids
  • Prednisone