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Sclerosis is a form of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) that is defined by cutaneous sclerosis, fasciitis, or joint contracture. To determine the risk factors for developing sclerosis, investigators examined the records of 977 patients treated with systemic agents for chronic GVHD after a first allogeneic hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation.
At the time of initial GVHD treatment, sclerosis was already present in 7% of patients; at 3 years after initial treatment, the cumulative incidence of sclerosis was 20% (95% confidence interval, 17.5%–22.5%). Skin sclerosis only was present in 13% of patients, joint contractures or fasciitis only was present in 33%, and both conditions were present in 53%.
The risk for developing sclerosis was greate…