Clinical Characteristics and Prognosis of Morphea (Localized Scleroderma) in Adults: a Retrospective Study

Authors

  • Narumol Silpa-archa Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700
  • Pichanee Chaweekulrat Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700
  • Natchaya Junsuwan Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700
  • Chanisada Wongpraparut Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700 http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9014-3229

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.33192/Smj.2019.45

Keywords:

Morphea; prognosis; phototherapy; systemic; treatment

Abstract

Objective: To study the clinical characteristics and prognosis of morphea in Thai adult patients. 
Methods: The medical records of 81 morphea adult patients who visited Siriraj Hospital, Thailand, between 2006 and 2015, were retrospectively reviewed. The demographics, clinical features, treatments and outcomes were analyzed. Clinical improvement was categorized as excellent (>80%), partial (1%–80%), and no response.
Results: Circumscribed morphea was the most common subtype (34, 42%) of the 81 patients, followed by linear morphea (21, 26%), generalized morphea (14, 17%), en coup de sabre (11, 14%) and Parry–Romberg syndrome (1, 1%). Systemic treatment and ultraviolet A (UVA)1 phototherapy had satisfactory outcomes in 83% and 79%
of cases, respectively, providing a partial to excellent response. For overall remission, one year after the treatment, 30% of patients achieved a partial to excellent response. After 2 years, this proportion rose to 50%. The median time to clinical response was 24 months.
Conclusion: Morphea is a difficult-to-treat dermatosis, with the majority of the patients having a partial clinical response and a high recurrent rate. Combination of treatment might be a worthy option.

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Published

24-07-2019

How to Cite

Silpa-archa, N., Chaweekulrat, P., Junsuwan, N., & Wongpraparut, C. (2019). Clinical Characteristics and Prognosis of Morphea (Localized Scleroderma) in Adults: a Retrospective Study. Siriraj Medical Journal, 71(4), 297–301. https://doi.org/10.33192/Smj.2019.45

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Original Article