title: Sclerodermatous chronic graft-versus-host disease after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: incidence, predictors and outcome.
abstract: Scleroderma may be one of the most severe forms of chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). We retrospectively evaluated its incidence, predictor variables and outcome in 133 patients who survived at least 4 months after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. The 5-year cumulative incidence was 15.5% in patients with chronic GVHD. The generalized form had a progressive course despite immunosuppressive therapy. Eosinophilia, autoimmune markers, and previous skin involvement by chronic GVHD with disorders of pigmentation were significantly associated with an increased probability of developing scleroderma.
authors.affiliation: Division of Haematology, Dept. of Clinical and Morphological Research, University of Udine. cristina_skert@yahoo.it
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Skert
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Patriarca
authors.forename: Alessandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sperotto
authors.forename: Michela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cerno
authors.forename: Carla
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Filì
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Zaja
authors.forename: Raffaella
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Stocchi
authors.forename: Antonella
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Geromin
authors.forename: Daniela
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Damiani
authors.forename: Renato
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Fanin
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D006086:Graft vs Host Disease / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology*; D018380:Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012595:Scleroderma, Systemic / Q000209:etiology*; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous; D016896:Treatment Outcome