A 32-Year-Old Man With an Cardiomyopathy

Scleredema is a sclerosing dermatosis of unknown etiology, characterized by non-punctate, weakly infiltrated skin thickening and swelling, which can lead to the development of cardiomyopathy. Scleredema-associated cardiomyopathy is at present poorly understood. Although scleredema-associated cardiomyopathy is uncommon and has been observed in elderly patients in the past, it is rarely observed in younger patients. We report the case of a 32-year-old male patient who presented with skin thickening and shortness of breath. The ultrasound examination of his neck and back revealed thickened skin, and the skin biopsies from the back further confirmed the diagnosis of scleredema. At the same time, the patient was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy due to diffuse left ventricular myocardial injury and progressive cardiac insufficiency. Scleredema-associated cardiomyopathy is uncommon in young adults and lacking a specific therapeutic strategy, necessitating attention in clinical practice.