Diffuse dermal angiomatosis associated with calciphylaxis: A 5-year retrospective institutional review

Although diffuse dermal angiomatosis (DDA), a rare acquired reactive cutaneous vascular disorder, has been previously reported in association with calciphylaxis (CP), the clinical significance of this relationship has not yet been elucidated.

A total of 24 cases of CP diagnosed from 2013 to 2018 were retrospectively reviewed for the presence of associated DDA. Pertinent clinical information for each patient was also collected, and statistical analysis was performed using multivariable logistic regression, Student t test and Fisher exact test.

African American race and comorbid congestive heart failure were the only variables that demonstrated independent, statistically significant association with the presence of DDA. End-stage renal failure, diabetes mellitus, immunosuppressive and hypercoagulable states, arrhythmia, body mass index, hypertension, coronary artery disease, patient age, duration of CP symptoms, gender, time interval from biopsy to death, anticoagulation therapy and sodium thiosulfate administration at the time of biopsy did not demonstrate a statistically significant association with DDA.

DDA does not appear to be associated with disease severity or prognosis in cases of CP; however, in our population CP with concurrent DDA was more prevalent in African Americans and individuals with congestive heart failure.