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Competing Interests: Conflicts of interest Dr Cardones was the recipient of the study grant from Pfizer, which was used to fund this study. Authors Petty, Emge, Blanchard, Selim, Scoggins, Liu, and Green have no conflicts of interest to declare.

Competing Interests: Conflicts of interest Dr Vimal H. Prajapati has been an advisor, consultant, speaker, and/or investigator for AbbVie, Actelion, Amgen, AnaptysBio, Aralez, Arcutis, Arena, Aspen, Bausch Health, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bristol Myers Squibb, Celgene, Cipher, Concert, Dermavant, Dermira, Eli Lilly, Galderma, GlaxoSmithKline, Homeocan, Incyte, Janssen, LEO Pharma, Medexus, Nimbus Lakshmi, Novartis, Pediapharm, Pfizer, Regeneron, Reistone, Sanofi Genzyme, Sun Pharma, Tribute, UCB, and Valeant. The remaining authors have no relevant disclosures.

The management of connective tissue diseases is dramatically evolving with the advent of biologics and novel oral systemic therapeutics. Despite involvement in the care of these complex patients, there is a knowledge gap in the field of dermatology regarding these emerging agents. The second article in this continuing medical education series discusses new and emerging therapeutics for dermatomyositis and scleroderma that target cells, intracellular signaling pathways, and cytokines., Competing Interests: Conflicts of interest None disclosed., (Copyright © 2022 American Academy of Dermatology, Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Prospective, longitudinal studies examining the features of linear morphea are limited., Objective: To utilize the Morphea in Adults and Children cohort to determine clinical characteristics, impact on life quality, and disease course of linear morphea in a prospective, longitudinal manner., Methods: Characteristics of linear morphea versus other subtypes were compared in a cross-sectional manner. Next, linear morphea participants were examined in depth over a 3-year period., Results: Linear morphea was the most common morphea subtype (50.1%, 291/581) in the cohort. Deep involvement was more common in linear (64.3%, 187/291) than other morphea subtypes. Linear morphea participants with deep involvement were more likely to have a limitation in range of motion (28.6%, 55/192) than those without (11.1%, 11/99, P < .001). Adult-onset disease occurred in 32.6% (95/291) of those with linear morphea. Frequency of deep involvement was similar between pediatric (66.8%, 131/196) and adult-onset linear morphea (58.9%, 56/95, P = .19). Quality of life and disease activity scores improved over time, while damage stabilized with treatment., Limitations: Results of the study are associative, and the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center is a tertiary referral center., Conclusion: A substantial number of linear morphea patients have adult-onset disease. In all age groups, linear morphea with deep involvement was associated with functional limitations., (Copyright © 2019 American Academy of Dermatology, Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Few studies support treating morphea (localized scleroderma) with hydroxychloroquine., Objective: To assess the efficacy of hydroxychloroquine treatment of morphea., Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of 84 patients who had morphea and were treated with hydroxychloroquine monotherapy for at least 6 months at our institution from 1996 through 2013. The median times to initial and maximal responses were assessed., Results: Of the 84 patients (median age at diagnosis, 29.5 years), 65 (77.4%) were female, 36 (42.9%) had a complete response to hydroxychloroquine, 32 (38.1%) had a partial response greater than 50%, 10 (11.9%) had a partial response less than or equal to 50%, and 6 (7.1%) had no response. The median time to initial response was 4 months, and the median time to maximal response was 12 months. Ten patients (11.9%) experienced adverse effects from hydroxychloroquine; the most common adverse effect was nausea (6 patients)., Limitations: Retrospective study., Conclusions: Hydroxychloroquine is a valuable treatment for morphea because of its high response rate and low rate of adverse effects; however, prospective studies are needed to determine its true efficacy., (Copyright © 2019 American Academy of Dermatology, Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Morphea or localized scleroderma is an inflammatory disorder resulting in fibrosis of the skin and subcutaneous tissues. Joint contractures, arthralgias, and functional compromise are recognized associations of pediatric morphea. The co-existence of inflammatory arthritis and morphea is not well-described in the literature., Objective: To investigate the relationship between pediatric morphea and inflammatory arthritis with regards to cutaneous, musculoskeletal, and laboratory findings and treatment regimens., Methods: A systematic retrospective chart review of 53 patients with pediatric morphea was performed and analyzed for morphea subtypes, arthritic joint involvement, serum autoantibodies, and therapeutic interventions., Results: Eleven out of 53 patients had polyarthritis that involved joints unrelated to the site of the cutaneous morphea. These patients were mostly girls with either the linear or generalized subtypes of morphea. Serum levels of antinuclear antibodies were more significantly elevated in patients with arthritis. All children were treated with methotrexate in addition to other systemic or topical immunosuppressive agents., Limitations: This was a small, single-center retrospective study., Conclusion: Pediatric morphea co-existed with inflammatory arthritis in 11 of 53 children. Further understanding and appreciation of this relationship may direct more intensive therapy and musculoskeletal screening., (Copyright © 2018 American Academy of Dermatology, Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Recent studies report that methotrexate (MTX) is beneficial in the treatment of juvenile localized scleroderma (JLS) but little is known about its long-term effectiveness., Objective: We assessed the therapeutic role of MTX in children with JLS who were followed up for a prolonged period., Methods: A cohort of patients with JLS, previously enrolled in a double-blind, randomized controlled trial and treated with oral MTX (15 mg/m(2)/wk) and prednisone (1 mg/kg/d, maximum 50 mg) for the first 3 months, were prospectively followed up. Lesions were evaluated clinically, with infrared thermography, and by a computerized skin score. Response to treatment was defined as: (1) no new lesions; (2) skin score rate less than 1; and (3) decrease in lesion temperature by at least 10% compared with baseline. Clinical remission (CR) on medication was defined when response was maintained, on treatment, for at least 6 months, and complete CR when response was maintained, without treatment, for at least 6 months., Results: Of 65 patients treated with MTX, 48 (73.8%) were responders, 10 (15.4%) relapsed by 24 months since MTX start, and 7 (10.8%) were lost to follow-up. Among the responders, 35 (72.9%) maintained CR for a mean of 25 months and 13 (27.1%) were in CR on medication. Adverse effects seen in 28 patients (48.3%) were generally mild and never required treatment discontinuation., Limitations: The use of objective measures not widely available, such as infrared thermography and computerized skin score, makes it difficult to compare data from previous studies., Conclusions: Long-term MTX therapy is beneficial and well tolerated for JLS., (Copyright © 2012 American Academy of Dermatology, Inc. Published by Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Morphea (localized scleroderma) is a skin disorder with significant morbidity. No consistent recommendations exist for therapy, impeding patient care., Objective: We sought to create an evidence-based therapeutic algorithm., Methods: We reviewed English-language literature using search engines and hand searches for therapeutic interventions in morphea. Results were summarized., Results: Narrowband ultraviolet B is appropriate for progressive or widespread superficial dermal lesions; broadband ultraviolet A/ultraviolet A-1 is appropriate for widespread or progressive deeper dermal lesions. Systemic treatment with methotrexate, corticosteroids, or both is indicated for deep or function-impairing lesions and rapidly progressive or widespread (severe) disease. Topical treatment with calcipotriene or tacrolimus is supported for limited, superficial, inflammatory lesions. Use of oral calcipotriol, D-penicillamine, interferon gamma, and antimalarials is not supported., Limitations: Limitations are publication bias; lack of adequately powered, controlled trials; and no validated outcome measures., Conclusion: Phototherapy, methotrexate/systemic corticosteroids, calcipotriene, and topical tacrolimus have the most evidence for efficacy in morphea. Treatment works best in inflammatory disease. Disease activity, severity, progression, and depth should play a role in therapeutic decision making., (Copyright © 2010 American Academy of Dermatology, Inc. Published by Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Morphea is a rare fibrosing disorder of the skin and underlying tissues. The underlying pathogenesis of morphea is not completely understood at this time, but ultimately results in an imbalance of collagen production and destruction. Evidence-based treatment options of morphea are limited secondary to the rarity of the disease, and the lack of universally used validated outcome measures. The most commonly used outcome measures are skin scores, computerized surface area measurement, durometer, cutometer, thermography, and ultrasound measurements. The Localized Scleroderma Cutaneous Assessment Tool is a promising recently validated skin scoring tool that allows differentiation between activity and damage, is sensitive to change, and requires no additional equipment. The most robust data in the treatment of morphea exists for methotrexate in combination with systemic steroids and ultraviolet A1., (Copyright © 2010 American Academy of Dermatology, Inc. Published by Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Small molecule tyrosine kinase (TK) inhibitor, such as imatinib, is well established in the treatment of malignancy. Oral administration, high efficacy, and an excellent safety profile have made imatinib a drug of choice for several malignancies and benign conditions. Recent progress in the understanding of several benign conditions has led to the use of TK inhibitors in the treatment of hypereosinophilic syndrome and mastocytosis. Systemic sclerosis (SS) is a recalcitrant disease featuring multiorgan fibrosis and dysfunction. Molecular and biological evidence point to a central role for platelet-derived growth factor receptor, a TK-associated entity, in the pathogenesis of SS. The ability of several TK inhibitors, namely imatinib, to abrogate the activation of platelet-derived growth factor receptor-TK may entail their use in the treatment of SS and possibly more limited forms of sclerosis. Several human studies aiming to examine the use of imatinib in the treatment of SS are currently underway.

Background: Morphea is an autoimmune inflammatory sclerosing disorder that may cause permanent functional disability and disfigurement., Objectives: We sought to determine the clinical features of morphea in a large pediatric cohort., Methods: We conducted a retrospective chart review of 136 pediatric patients with morphea from one center, 1989 to 2006., Results: Most children showed linear morphea, with a disproportionately high number of Caucasian and female patients. Two patients with rapidly progressing generalized or extensive linear morphea and arthralgias developed restrictive pulmonary disease. Initial oral corticosteroid treatment and long-term methotrexate administration stabilized and/or led to disease improvement in most patients with aggressive disease., Limitations: Retrospective analysis, relatively small sample size, and risk of a selected referral population to the single site are limitations., Conclusions: These data suggest an increased prevalence of morphea in Caucasian girls, and support methotrexate as treatment for problematic forms. Visceral manifestations rarely occur; the presence of progressive problematic cutaneous disease and arthralgias should trigger closer patient monitoring.

Superficial morphea is a recently described condition with distinct clinical and histologic features that distinguish it from classic morphea. To date this disease has been reported only in females. We present a report of this condition in a man.

Scleroderma en coup de sabre, a variant of localized scleroderma, is a disorder of unknown origin characterized by fibrosis of connective tissue. Rare complications of scleroderma en coup de sabre are orbital and intracerebral involvement. We describe a patient with scleroderma en coup de sabre in whom intracerebral and orbital lesions developed after 2 decades of disease duration. Clinically, she had epilepsy, impaired vision, and retro-ocular pain of the affected eye. A 12-month course of interferon-gamma stopped progression of visual symptoms caused by orbital fibrous tissue. To our knowledge, this is the first patient with scleroderma en coup de sabre complicated by orbital involvement who was successfully treated with interferon-gamma.

Generalized morphea is rarely associated with systemic overlap. We report an unusual case with generalized morphea involving cutaneous large vessel vasculitis, mononeuritis multiplex, and lupus anticoagulant without any evidence of the coexistent systemic lupus erythematosus.

Background: Various treatments including corticosteroids, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, D-penicillamine, interferon gamma, cyclosporine, and cytostatic drugs have been used with limited success in both morphea and systemic sclerosis (SSc)., Objective: We investigated the effect of treatment with oral calcitriol in patients with localized or systemic scleroderma., Methods: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of 9 months' duration with a 6-month follow-up was performed at the Department of Dermatology. A total of 27 patients (7 patients with SSc and 20 with morphea) were selected on a minimal skin score of 3 for patients with morphea and 12 for those with SSc. Each patient received calcitriol (0.75 microg/day for 6 months plus 1.25 microg/day for 3 months) or placebo for 9 months. Efficacy parameters included skin score, measurement of serum markers of collagen synthesis and degradation and, additional for the patients with SSc, oral aperture measurements, lung function studies, and esophagus motility., Results: The skin score in patients with morphea after 9 months' treatment showed no significant difference between the placebo and calcitriol groups (mean percentage reduction [SD] in skin score in the placebo group was -29.3 [57.9]; in the calcitriol group it was -19.4 [46.6]). The small group of patients with SSc was inadequate to allow us to draw any conclusions regarding efficacy. No significant change was found in the serum markers of collagen metabolism., Conclusion: In this study calcitriol was not more effective than placebo in patients with morphea. Because of the small group of patients with SSc treated, no conclusions regarding efficacy in SSc can be drawn.

Background: The efforts to treat localized scleroderma, including therapies with potentially hazardous side effects, are often unsatisfactory. Recently, PUVA-bath photochemotherapy has been proven highly effective in the treatment of localized scleroderma. Another form of topical PUVA therapy, 8-methoxypsoralen (8-MOP) containing cream or gel preparations, has been proven to be as effective as PUVA-bath therapy for palmoplantar dermatoses., Objective: We sought to assess the efficacy of PUVA-cream photochemotherapy in patients with localized scleroderma., Methods: Four patients with localized scleroderma were included in the study. Diagnosis was confirmed by 20 MHz ultrasound assessment as well as pretreatment skin biopsy specimens from lesional skin. PUVA-cream therapy was performed 4 times a week; all patients received 30 treatments., Results: PUVA-cream photochemotherapy induced significant clinical improvement or clearance of localized scleroderma in all patients. Clearance was documented by clinical features as well as by 20 MHz ultrasound and histopathologic analysis., Conclusion: PUVA-cream phototherapy can be highly effective in patients with localized scleroderma even if previous therapy was unsuccessful.

Background: Morphea and linear scleroderma are characterized by erythema, induration, telangiectasia, and dyspigmentation. There is no universally effective treatment. Oral calcitriol has been beneficial in the treatment of localized and extensive morphea/scleroderma, but the use of topical calcipotriene has not been reported., Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of topical calcipotriene 0.005% ointment in the treatment of localized scleroderma., Methods: In a 3-month open-label study, 12 patients aged 12 to 38 years with biopsy-documented active morphea or linear scleroderma applied calcipotriene ointment under occlusion twice daily to plaques for 3 months. The condition of each patient had previously failed to respond to potent topical corticosteroids and, for some patients, systemic medications. Efficacy was assessed at baseline, 1 month, and 3 months. Levels of serum ionized calcium, intact parathyroid hormone, and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D and of random urinary calcium excretion were measured., Results: During the 3-month trial, the condition of all 12 patients showed statistically significant improvement in all studied features. No adverse effects were reported or detected through laboratory monitoring of mineral metabolism., Conclusion: Topical calcipotriene 0.005% ointment may be an effective treatment for localized scleroderma, but double-blind placebo controlled studies are needed for confirmation.

Anabolic steroids are synthetic derivatives of testosterone that were developed in the 1950s in an attempt to dissociate the anabolic and androgenic effects of testosterone. The anabolic steroid stanozolol has been particularly helpful because it has one of the largest anabolic/androgenic ratios. In addition, stanozolol has substantial fibrinolytic properties. We discuss the safety profile and the use of stanozolol for a variety of clinical applications. Stanozolol is approved for use in the treatment of hereditary angioedema, but numerous reports have detailed the effectiveness of this agent in the treatment of urticaria, Raynaud's phenomenon, and, more recently, cryofibrinogenemia and lipodermatosclerosis. Side effects are mostly dose related and are preventable with appropriate follow-up.

Background: Bullous morphea is a rare disease. Its pathogenesis is unknown., Objective: We evaluated bullous morphea clinically, pathologically, and immunopathologically and investigated the role of spirochetes and eosinophils in its pathogenesis., Methods: The clinical and pathologic findings from 13 patients with bullous morphea were reviewed. Tissue sections were studied with the Elias-Bosma stain for spirochetes and indirect immunofluorescence for eosinophil granule major basic protein., Results: Bullae were found in all forms of morphea; the lower extremities were the most common sites of involvement. Lymphatic dilatation was found in 77% of the patients. Deposition of major basic protein was found in 60% of cases studied. There was no evidence of spirochetes in any of the specimens examined with the Elias-Bosma stain., Conclusion: Our results suggest that the pathogenesis of bullous morphea is related to lymphatic dilatation as well as release of major basic protein from eosinophils in some patients. We found no association between spirochetes and bullous morphea.

Lipodermatosclerosis refers to the skin induration and hyperpigmentation of the legs that often occurs in patients who have venous insufficiency. Lipodermatosclerosis has also been termed hypodermitis sclerodermiformis and appears to be similar if not-identical to the recently described sclerosing panniculitis of the leg. There has been much confusion about the nature, clinical course, and treatment of lipodermatosclerosis. We believe that lipodermatosclerosis has an acute, inflammatory phase and a chronic, fibrotic stage, although a spectrum exists. Direct immunofluorescence studies of early and late lesions are helpful in that they show dermal pericapillary fibrin deposits without other immunoreactants. Treatment of lipodermatosclerosis consists of compression therapy with either graded stockings or elastic bandages. We and others have found that the anabolic steroid stanozolol improves this condition rapidly and consistently.

After a review of some pathogenetic and pathologic aspects of scleroderma, the experimental effects of a group of agents that can inhibit the formation of connective tissue, especially the biosynthesis of collagen, are mentioned. These substances were transferred to clinical therapy of scleroderma. Regular determinations of disease activity and guidance of therapy with quantitative and semiquantitative physical and biochemical technics are of utmost importance because treatment without guidance allows for no disclosure of therapeutic failure or recurrence of the disease in due time for readjustment of the treatment.

Carpal tunnel syndrome developed concurrently with cutaneous connective tissue disease in five patients. The skin lesions varied from morphea, lichen sclerosus, fasciitis, and discoid lupus erythematosus to lupus panniculitis. Variable and transitory serologic and direct immunofluorescent findings were noted. In two cases, surgical specimens from carpal tunnel operations had lymphoid nodules. Treatment of the cutaneous connective tissue syndrome (antimalarials, four cases; corticosteroids, two cases) brought healing of the carpal tunnel syndrome as well as improvement of the skin lesions.