{
  "abstract": "Introduction Calcinosis cutis is a disabling complication of systemic sclerosis (SSc) with global prevalence estimated at 24% of patients with SSc from international cohorts. Data from the Middle East remains scarce. Herein we present a multicenter cohort from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) characterizing clinical phenotype, anatomical burden, treatment approaches, and outcomes.Material and Methods This is a retrospective analysis of calcinosis cutis in patients with systemic sclerosis conducted across two tertiary centers in the United Arab Emirates between April 2015 and July 2025. Demographic, clinical, serological, anatomical, therapeutic, and outcome data were collected. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the data, and comparative analyses were performed with p-values reported where applicable. A p-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant.Results Among 25 patients, 92% were female and 64% were of Arab ethnicity. Diffuse SSc accounted for 60% of cases, with a mean age at diagnosis of 36.2 ± 16.0 (mean ± SD) years and a mean disease duration of 67.5 ± 105.6 months. The mean BMI was 26.3 ± 5.7 kg/m 2, and 4% were ever-smokers. Autoantibody testing showed IF-ANA positivity in 80%, ACA in 36%, and anti-Scl-70 in 16%, with no RNA polymerase III positivity. Clinical features included arthralgia (100%), Raynaud’s phenomenon (84%), sclerodactyly (84%), digital ulcers (64%), ILD (52%), PAH (44%), dysphagia (48%), and myositis (20%). The mean mRSS at presentation was 19.6 ± 26.3. Calcinosis was predominantly acral, with 35 lesions in the upper extremities (hands 71%, elbows 43%), 10 on the torso (67% abdomen), 7 on the lower extremities (71% knees), and 1 facial lesion. Treatments included prednisone (76%), mycophenolate mofetil (64%), endothelin receptor antagonists (52%), PDE-5 inhibitors (40%), methotrexate (36%), rituximab (16%), and tocilizumab (4%). Local interventions comprised intralesional sodium thiosulfate (8%), IV bisphosphonates (8%), and surgical excision (20%).Conclusions This first multicenter study from the UAE demonstrates that calcinosis cutis in systemic sclerosis occurs in a younger cohort with predominantly diffuse disease and more extensive skin involvement. The anatomical distribution of calcinosis was largely acral and consistent with international data, while treatment approaches were heterogeneous and often limited in effectiveness. These findings highlight the urgent need for standardized management strategies and for the inclusion of Middle Eastern patients in global clinical trials to better define therapeutic pathways for calcinosis cutis in SSc.Abstract P.221 Table 1Characteristics of patients with calcinosis cutisAbstract P.221 Table 2Anatomical distribution of cakinosis cutis and treatment modalities",
  "authors": [
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates"
      ],
      "name": "Sarah Al Qassimi"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Dubai Health, Dubai, United Arab Emirates"
      ],
      "name": "Mohammed Gamal"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Dubai Health, Dubai, United Arab Emirates"
      ],
      "name": "Noura Zamani"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates"
      ],
      "name": "Rajaie Namas"
    }
  ],
  "title": "P.221 Clinical characteristics, burden, and outcomes of calcinosis cutis in systemic sclerosis: a multicenter cohort from the United Arab Emirates",
  "uid": "4b5268e0-706f-583e-83af-cc93519524ac"
}