A Retrospective Analysis of Patients Diagnosed with Morphea (Localized Scleroderma) in Terms of Age, Gender, Clinical Subtype, and Anatomical Involvement

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to contribute to the epidemiological and clinical understanding of morphea by evaluating the demographic characteristics, clinical subtypes, anatomical involvement, and antinuclear antibody (ANA) positivity in patients diagnosed with morphea.

Methods: A total of 189 patients diagnosed with morphea who presented to the dermatology clinic of the hospital between January 1, 2017, and December 31, 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. Demographic data, clinical subtypes, anatomical involvement sites, and ANA positivity or negativity were obtained from the hospital database.

Results: Of the patients, 79.9% were female. The highest number of patients was observed in the 50-59 age group. The most common clinical subtype was localized (plaque) morphea (74.6%), followed by generalized morphea (13.2%) and linear morphea (10.6%). While localized and generalized morphea were more frequently observed in older age groups, linear morphea was predominantly observed in younger patients. The trunk was the most commonly affected anatomical region, followed by the lower extremities. Trunk involvement was predominant in localized plaque morphea, whereas extremity involvement was more common in linear morphea. Among patients with available data, ANA positivity was detected in 37.9%.

Conclusion: This study presents a relatively large cohort reflecting the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of morphea. The findings indicate that localized (plaque) morphea is the most common subtype in adults and predominantly involves the trunk. Although the retrospective, single-center design and incomplete data represent limitations of the study, the results are consistent with the existing literature and highlight the importance of future multicenter, prospective studies.

Cite this article as: Ferhatoğlu ZA, Mutlu G, Yıldırım G. A retrospective analysis of patients diagnosed with morphea (localized scleroderma) in terms of age, gender, clinical subtype, and anatomical involvement. Cerrahpaşa Med J 2026, 50, 0086, doi: 10.5152/cjm.2026.25086.