Clinical characteristics and risk factors for calcinosis cutis in systemic sclerosis: insights from the EUSTAR database

Objectives: Calcinosis Cutis (CaC) represents one of the most frequent and disabling non-lethal manifestations in SSc. Our objectives were to evaluate (1) associations of CaC with SSc clinical characteristics and (2) identify risk factors for CaC development. Methods: EUSTAR database-registered SSc patients with available information on their CaC status were included. We compared baseline patient characteristics (with vs without CaC at baseline) and investigated predictors of CaC development at 5 and 10 years (in those without baseline CaC) with logistic regression analyses. Conclusion: CaC is common and progressive; clinical risk factors may provide insights into the pathogenesis.