Association of truncal involvement in lupus erythematosus panniculitis patients with calcinosis cutis: A retrospective cohort study.

BackgroundLupus erythematosus panniculitis (LEP) is a rare variant of cutaneous lupus erythematosus that typically presents as indurated nodules or plaques. Calcinosis cutis (CC) is a potential complication of this disease with limited treatment modalities and significant quality of life complications. The rate and risk factors of CC in LEP are not well understood. Thus, we conducted a retrospective cohort study on patients diagnosed with LEP.ObjectiveTo quantify the rate of CC and to identify the risk factors associated with its development in LEP.MethodsThis retrospective cohort study analyzed data from 27 LEP patients recruited in outpatient dermatology clinics at University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center and Parkland Health from January 2009 to December 2024. The primary outcome measure was CC development based on clinical diagnosis from a dermatologist, biopsy, or radiographic imaging. Data collected included demographics, smoking history, disease duration, medications, and lesion location. Predictor variables associated with CC development were analyzed either by Mann-Whitney U or Fisher's exact tests.Results10/27 (37%) LEP patients had CC during the evaluation period. LEP patients with CC had a higher rate of truncal involvement (9/10 (90%) versus 7/17 (41.2%);