Involvement of Calcinosis Cutis in Autoimmune Connective Tissue Diseases

The study analyzed 43 patients with calcinosis cutis associated with autoimmune connective tissue diseases (ACTD), focusing on the most affected locations and the impact of the condition. It found that 100% of patients with limited systemic sclerosis (lSSc) reported painful and functionally limiting lesions, compared to 84.6% with dermatomyositis and 76.9% with scleroderma. Ulceration was noted in 54.5% of lSSc patients, 46.2% with dermatomyositis, and 38.5% with systemic sclerosis. Pain and ulceration were more severe in patients with CREST syndrome, particularly in trauma-prone areas like digits, knees, and elbows. The study suggests that early intervention may be beneficial for lSSc patients due to higher risks of pain and ulceration, and emphasizes the need for detailed documentation of calcinosis cutis locations to improve understanding and patient counseling.