Background: scleromyxoedema is characterized by dermal mucin deposition associated with a monoclonal gammopathy. This is a rare disease, mostly reported as isolated cases. There is limited data regarding the course and prognosis of the disease. The aim of this study was to determine the clinical characteristics and course of scleromyxoedema.
Patients and methods: this was a retrospective study in patients from five French university hospitals between 1987 and 2007. Data were collected using a standardized questionnaire. The inclusion criteria were based on the disease diagnosis criteria proposed by Rongioletti and Rebora: (1) generalized, papular and sclerodermiform skin eruption, (2) mucin deposition in the dermis, fibroblastic proliferation and skin fibrosis, (3) presence of a monoclonal gammopathy, (4) absence of thyroid disease.
Results: eight patients were included. The mean age at disease onset was 51.5 years (range: 35-67). The mean time from primary symptoms and diagnosis was 41.6 months (range: 4-120). Seven patients had extra-cutaneous involvement: four with peripheral neuropathy and three with interstitial pneumonia. The mean follow-up time was 9 years. Four patients improved: two experienced partial remission and two complete remission. Complete remission was obtained under treatment with dexamethasone (one patient) and thalidomide (one patient). One patient presented a myeloma and one patient presented encephalopathy leading to death.
Discussion: our study shows the frequency of extra-cutaneous involvement and shows that complete remission occurs in some patients.
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