P144 Morphoea in Ireland: demographic data from the IMAGINE study cohort

Abstract

Morphoea is a rare inflammatory sclerosing disorder associated with significant cosmetic, functional and psychosocial morbidity. Despite this burden, no national Irish cohort of patients with morphoea has previously been described. We aimed to characterize the demographic and clinical features of adult- and paediatric-onset morphoea in Ireland, within the IMAGINE study. We conducted a multicentre, cross-sectional study of adults and children with morphoea across the Republic of Ireland. Participants were recruited over a 6-month period through dermatology clinics in Cork, Galway, Mayo and Dublin, supplemented by national dermatology networks and social media outreach. Data on demographics, disease subtype, clinical features, potential triggers, extracutaneous involvement and treatment history were collected using REDCap. Data collection tools were adapted from the Morphea in Adults and Children cohort to facilitate international comparison. Statistical analyses were performed in R. Ethical approval was obtained at all participating centres. Fifty-four patients were enrolled, including 25 with adult-onset and 29 with paediatric-onset disease. Subtypes comprised linear (n = 29; including 13 en coup de sabre), plaque (n = 12) and generalized morphoea (n = 13). The female-to-male ratio was 6 : 1. The mean age at paediatric disease onset was 9.6 years. A personal history of autoimmune disease was reported by one-third of patients, while over one-half reported a family history of autoimmunity. Systemic therapy was required in over two-thirds of patients, most commonly methotrexate with or without cortico­steroids. Extracutaneous involvement was observed in 40%, and functional impairment was reported by 16%. This is the first national, multicentre study of morphoea in Ireland and represents the largest Irish cohort reported to date. Despite its rarity, morphoea is associated with substantial morbidity, underscoring the need for early recognition, multidisciplinary care and timely systemic treatment.