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Abstract：
Background and objective Morphea, or localized scleroderma (LS), is an autoimmune skin disorder characterized by inflammation and sclerosis. Its potential causes include infections, genetic predisposition, and trauma. The disease involves cycles of inflammation and fibrosis, leading to skin hardening and scarring, which can cause deformities if untreated. Research exploring the link between morphea and rheumatoid factor (RF), a marker associated with other autoimmune conditions, is ongoing. This study aimed to examine the less-explored role of RF, a marker typically linked to rheumatoid arthritis (RA), in the severity of morphea. It focused on assessing the levels of RF among morphea patients and its correlation with disease severity, intending to provide deeper insights into the condition and its management. Methods This study involved a simple randomized cross-sectional analysis to evaluate the role of the RF in measuring morphea severity among patients at the Dermatology and Venereology Department of Al-Sader Teaching Hospital from October 2022 to December 2023. We included participants with clinically and laboratory-confirmed morphea while excluding those with other autoimmune dermatological diseases, recent systemic steroid or immunosuppressive therapy, and pregnant women. The assessment of disease severity was done by utilizing the Localized Scleroderma Cutaneous Assessment Tool (LoSCAT). Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS Statistics version 27 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY), with a significance threshold of p<0.05. Results Elevated RF levels were significantly associated with increased morphea severity, with severe cases showing higher RF levels (mean: 30.34 U/mL) compared to moderate (25.83 U/mL) and mild cases (21.56 U/mL) (p = 0.028). However, no significant correlation was found between RF levels and demographic factors such as age, gender, or occupation. Patients with high RF levels had a longer disease duration (mean: 57.15 years) compared to those with normal levels (25.83 years, p = 0.020). Significant differences were observed in lesion distribution on the back (p = 0.002). Logistic regression indicated that severe morphea patients were more likely to have elevated RF levels [odds ratio (OR): 1.158, p = 0.014]. Conclusions This study enriches our understanding of RF\'s role in morphea, revealing no significant correlation with demographic factors but suggesting its potential role in disease chronicity and severity.
摘要：
背景和客观Morphea,或局限性硬皮病（LS），是一种以炎症和硬化为特征的自身免疫性皮肤病。其潜在原因包括感染，遗传易感性,和创伤。这种疾病涉及炎症和纤维化的循环，导致皮肤硬化和疤痕，如果不治疗会导致畸形。探索角膜与类风湿因子（RF）之间联系的研究，与其他自身免疫疾病相关的标志物，正在进行中。这项研究旨在检查射频的作用，通常与类风湿关节炎（RA）相关的标志物，在病情严重的情况下。它专注于评估角膜患者的RF水平及其与疾病严重程度的相关性，打算对病情及其管理提供更深入的见解。方法本研究采用简单的随机横断面分析，以评估RF在2022年10月至2023年12月Al-Sader教学医院皮肤性病科患者中测量硬伤严重程度的作用。我们纳入了临床和实验室确诊的硬伤患者，而排除了其他自身免疫性皮肤病患者，最近的全身性类固醇或免疫抑制治疗，和孕妇。通过使用局部硬皮病皮肤评估工具（LoSCAT）进行疾病严重程度的评估。使用SPSSStatistics版本27(IBMCorp.,Armonk,NY),显著性阈值为p<0.05。结果RF水平升高与病情严重程度增加显著相关,与中度（25.83U/mL）和轻度病例（21.56U/mL）相比，重度病例显示更高的RF水平（平均：30.34U/mL）（p=0.028）。然而,RF水平与人口统计学因素如年龄、性别,或职业。与正常RF水平的患者相比，高RF水平的患者的疾病持续时间更长（平均：57.15年）（25.83年，p=0.020)。在背部的病变分布中观察到显着差异（p=0.002）。Logistic回归分析显示重度硬伤患者RF水平升高的可能性更大[比值比(OR):1.158,p=0.014]。结论本研究丰富了我们对RF在硬皮病中作用的认识,与人口统计学因素没有显着相关性，但表明其在疾病慢性和严重程度中的潜在作用。
