EFESO: Study on Juvenile Onset Eosinophilic Fasciitis

Meyer Children's Hospital IRCCS

Status: Enrolling

Conditions: Eosinophilic Fasciitis

Study type: Observational

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT07348263

EFESO

Details and patient eligibility

About

Eosinophilic fasciitis is a connective tissue disorder characterized by inflammation of the muscle fasciae, which is very rare in children. In juvenile-onset eosinophilic fasciitis (JEF), there may be severe joint involvement and skin manifestations may be less prevalent than in adults. It represents an important differential diagnosis of both juvenile-onset systemic sclerosis and localized scleroderma, and the correct classification of these patients is necessary to define a targeted diagnostic-therapeutic pathway. The diagnostic criteria proposed for eosinophilic fasciitis in the adult population (Pinal-Fernandez et al. 20145; JInnin M 20186) do not necessarily require confirmation by skin biopsy, currently the "gold standard," which is an invasive procedure for pediatric patients; however, these criteria have never been directly applied to the pediatric population. From a therapeutic point of view, the combination of glucocorticoids and methotrexate is recommended for both adults and pediatric patients, but the data supporting this treatment in children are very limited, and there are no studies comparing the therapeutic approaches currently in use in pediatrics. Finally, there are no studies in the literature documenting the long-term prognosis of these patients in terms of functional limitations, quality of life, or complications related to the disease or treatments.

Enrollment: 20 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: Under 18 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion and exclusion criteria

Inclusion criterai:

All patients diagnosed from 2000 to 31/12/2026

• minimum follow-up 6 months
• Age <18 years at diagnosis;
• All patients whose informed consent is collected in accordance with current local legislation will also be considered enrollable.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Age ≥18 years at diagnosis;
• Unwilling to participate into the study;
• A follow-up period < 6 months.

Trial design

20 participants in 1 patient group

Juvenile eosinophilic fasciitis

Description:

Age \< 18 years at diagnosis \- The study will include two different populations: 1. Patients who have received a diagnosis of JEF based on deep fascial biopsy characteristics. 2. Patients who have received a diagnosis of JEF based on typical MRI findings, but without performing a deep fascial biopsy.