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Groseanu L, Petrescu S, Balanescu A, Bojinca V, Opris-Belinski D, Berghea F, Mazilu D, Saulescu I, Borangiu A, Daia-Iliescu S, Constantinescu C, Cobilinschi C, Abobului M, Negru MM, Ionescu R. Do we have good activity indices in systemic sclerosis? Curr Rheumatol Rev 2021; 18:39-47. [PMID: 34517805 DOI: 10.2174/1573397117666210913102759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2020] [Revised: 02/12/2021] [Accepted: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND No fully validated index is available for assessing overall disease activity in systemic sclerosis (SSc). OBJECTIVES To estimate the effect of disease activity as measured by different disease activity indices on the risk of subsequent organ damage. METHODS The European Systemic sclerosis study group activity index (EScSG AI), the European Scleroderma Trials and Research Group Activity Index (r-EUSTAR AI), 12 point activity index proposed by Minier (12point AI) were calculated for 91 patients; the CRISS (The Composite Response Index for Systemic Sclerosis) for patients included after 2016. Data were analysed by parametric and non-parametric tests and logistic regression. RESULTS EscSG AI, r-EUSTAR AI and 12point AI correlated with lung involvement. EScSG AI and r-EUSTAR AI correlated with diffuse skin involvement. EscSG AI correlated with digital ulcers and diffuse cutaneous involvement and r-EUSTAR AI with renal crisis. Bivariate analysis showed an inverse correlation between the three disease activity scores and forced vital capacity (FVC) (p<0.001) and diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO) (p<0.001) and positive correlation with pulmonary fibrosis (p<0.001), modified Rodnan skin score (mRSS) (p<0.001), health assessment questionnaire (HAQ) (p<0.001), systolic pulmonary pressure (sPAP) (p<0.001), C-reactive protein (CRP) (p<0.001) and capillaroscopy scoring (p<0.001) at both baseline visit and at the 3-year follow-up visit. Logistic regression revealed that baseline EScSG AI adjusted for gender and age and that baseline 12-point AI both adjusted and unadjusted predicted worse skin involvement at 3-year follow-up; while adjusted EScSG AI predicted decreasing of DLCO. Also, 12-point AI predicted decline of FVC and higher HAQ scores at 3-year follow up; while baseline r-EUSTAR AI was able to predict muscular deterioration, decline of FVC and the increase of HAQ score during 3 years of following. An active disease according to EScSG AI at first visit predicted progression of joint involvement while an active disease at baseline showed by r-EUSTAR AI predicted muscular deterioration, FVC and DLCO worsening, as well as an increasing in HAQ score during the follow-up period. r-EUSTAR AI was the only score to predict the decrease of FVC in a multiple regression prediction model [OR= 1.306 (1.025, 1.665), p=0.31] while baseline EScSG AI best predicted worsening of DLCO [OR=1.749 (1.104, 2.772), p=0.017]. CONCLUSION Our study could not establish a gold standard to assess disease activity in SSc; especially EscSG AI and r-EUSTAR AI could quantify and predict major organ involvement in daily practice. CRISS can be useful as an outcome measure for patients with short disease duration included in clinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Groseanu
- Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest. Romania
| | - Sorana Petrescu
- Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest. Romania
| | - Andra Balanescu
- Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest. Romania
| | - Violeta Bojinca
- Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest. Romania
| | | | - Florian Berghea
- Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest. Romania
| | - Diana Mazilu
- Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest. Romania
| | - Ioana Saulescu
- Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest. Romania
| | - Andreea Borangiu
- Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest. Romania
| | | | | | | | - Mihai Abobului
- Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest. Romania
| | | | - Ruxandra Ionescu
- Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest. Romania
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Azarbani N, Javadzadeh A, Mohseni I, Jalali A, Andalib E, Poormoghim H. Association of Musculoskeletal and Radiological Features with Clinical and Serological Findings in Systemic Sclerosis: A Single-Centre Registry Study. Mediterr J Rheumatol 2020; 31:341-349. [PMID: 33163868 PMCID: PMC7641026 DOI: 10.31138/mjr.31.3.341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2020] [Revised: 07/29/2020] [Accepted: 09/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
AIM Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a chronic connective tissue disease with the clinical hallmark of skin thickening and tethering. Correlation of musculoskeletal features with other parameters should be considered in SSc patients. METHODS We reviewed the records of all patients who had more than one visit and standard anteroposterior radiography of hand. We used univariate analysis, and factors with p<0.05 were included in logistic regression to find out dependent factors. RESULTS Overall, 180 SSc patients were enrolled in our study, 161 (89.4%) of whom were women. Median age (IQR) was 47.0 years (16), and 52% had diffuse subtype of the disease. In multivariate analysis, tendon friction rubs (TFRs) was associated with the presence of calcinosis, muscle tenderness, and flexion contracture (FC) on physical examination (p<0.05). Arthritis showed no differences in the two subtypes of the disease (p=0.98), and in multivariate analysis, there were no correlations between radiographic arthritis and serological and clinical features. The radiographic results indicated that disease duration correlated with joint erosion, acro-osteolysis, resorption of distal ulna, calcinosis and radiologic FC (p< 0.05). Acro-osteolysis was more frequent in the dcSSc subtype, TFRs, and anti-TOPO I antibody. Radiologic FC showed association with skin score, calcinosis and haematocrit <30% (p<0.05). Joint flexion on radiography was associated with disease duration, modified Rodnan skin score, calcinosis, and low haematocrit (P<0.01). CONCLUSION Disease duration was a main dependent factor for developing joint erosion, acro-osteolysis, bone resorption, calcinosis, and flexion contracture on hand radiography. Acro-osteolysis presented in the severe form of the disease. Acro-osteolysis was the only dependent variable associated with bone demineralization.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Iman Mohseni
- Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Arash Jalali
- Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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Hughes M, Pauling JD, Armstrong-James L, Denton CP, Galdas P, Flurey C. Gender-related differences in systemic sclerosis. Autoimmun Rev 2020; 19:102494. [PMID: 32062031 DOI: 10.1016/j.autrev.2020.102494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2019] [Accepted: 10/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a complex autoimmune connective tissue disease which is characterised by autoimmunity, widespread tissue fibrosis of the skin and internal organs, and vasculopathic alterations. SSc is more common in women but has a more severe expression of disease including internal organ-based complications and higher mortality in men. The extant literature shows that although important pathophysiological sex differences are present in SSc, behavioural differences (e.g. higher smoking rates in men) and occupational exposures may contribute to poorer outcomes in men with SSc. The higher death male death rate in the general population and greater prevalence of lung fibrosis are likely the key factors responsible for excess mortality found in men. Other important factors include (but are not limited to) a greater prevalence of the disease subset, delayed time to diagnosis, and higher disease activity in early disease in men. SSc carries a significant burden of disease-related morbidity; however, no qualitative studies to date have focussed on gender differences in SSc. The purpose of this review is to provide a comprehensive overview of gender differences in SSc including (but not limited to) epidemiology, pathophysiology, clinical expression of disease, mortality, SSc in transgender individuals, and psychosocial aspects of disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Hughes
- Department of Rheumatology, Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Sheffield, UK; Centre for Musculoskeletal Research, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, UK.
| | - John D Pauling
- Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases (at Royal United Hospitals), Bath, UK; Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, University of Bath, Bath, UK
| | | | - Christopher P Denton
- Centre for Rheumatology, Royal Free Hospital, University College London, London, UK
| | - Paul Galdas
- Department of Health Sciences, University of York, York, UK
| | - Caroline Flurey
- Department of Health and Social Sciences, University of the West of England, Bristol, UK
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Naidu GSRSNK, Sharma SK, Adarsh MB, Dhir V, Sinha A, Dhooria S, Jain S. Effect of mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) on systemic sclerosis-related interstitial lung disease with mildly impaired lung function: a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial. Rheumatol Int 2019; 40:207-216. [DOI: 10.1007/s00296-019-04481-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2019] [Accepted: 11/19/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
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Park EH, Strand V, Oh YJ, Song YW, Lee EB. Health-related quality of life in systemic sclerosis compared with other rheumatic diseases: a cross-sectional study. Arthritis Res Ther 2019; 21:61. [PMID: 30770765 PMCID: PMC6377714 DOI: 10.1186/s13075-019-1842-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2018] [Accepted: 02/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a rare autoimmune disease characterized by fibrosis of the skin and the involvement of multiple internal organs. Previous studies reported poorer health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with SSc compared with the general population. However, very little is known about how HRQoL in SSc patients compares with that in patients with other systemic autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and Sjogren's syndrome (SjS). Thus, the main aim of this study was to compare HRQoL in SSc patients, patients with other rheumatic diseases, and the general population. METHODS In this cross-sectional study, patients from the rheumatology clinics of Seoul National University Hospital with SSc, RA, SLE, and SjS were enrolled via a random sampling technique. HRQoL was captured by the Short Form (36) health survey (SF-36), the Short Form Six-Dimensional health index (SF-6D), and the EuroQol Five-Dimensional descriptive system (EQ-5D). Demographic characteristics and standardized disease activity for each disease were also obtained. Previously reported data from 600 healthy Koreans were used for the healthy controls. An ANCOVA test was used to compare the SF-36, SF-6D, and EQ-5D values between study subjects with adjustments for age, sex, disease duration, comorbidities, and disease activity status. RESULTS One hundred twenty patients were included in each of the SSc, RA, SLE, and SjS cohorts. Patients with rheumatic diseases had significantly lower SF-36, SF-6D, and EQ-5D scores than healthy controls (all P < 0.001). After statistical adjustments, SSc patients reported significantly lower mental component summary (MCS) scores than patients with RA (P < 0.001) or SLE (P = 0.001). Specifically, the mental health and general health domains were significantly lower in SSc patients than reported in RA or SLE patients (P < 0.001 and P = 0.001, respectively, in both domains). In SSc patients, higher modified Rodnan skin scores (mRSS) correlated with lower MCS scores. CONCLUSIONS SSc patients report poorer HRQoL than patients with RA or SLE. The extent of skin involvement is associated with poorer HRQoL in SSc patients. TRIAL REGISTRATION NCT03257878 . Registered 22 August 2017.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eun Hye Park
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea
| | - Vibeke Strand
- Division of Immunology/Rheumatology, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Yoon Jeong Oh
- Department of Internal Medicine, Kangwon National University Hospital, Chuncheon-si, Republic of Korea
| | - Yeong Wook Song
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea
| | - Eun Bong Lee
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea.
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Li L, Cui Y, Chen S, Zhao Q, Fu T, Ji J, Li L, Gu Z. The impact of systemic sclerosis on health-related quality of life assessed by SF-36: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Int J Rheum Dis 2018; 21:1884-1893. [PMID: 30428506 DOI: 10.1111/1756-185x.13438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2017] [Revised: 05/07/2018] [Accepted: 10/18/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The purpose of this meta-analysis was to systematically review the literature to evaluate the impact of systemic sclerosis (SSc) on the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) assessed by the Medical Outcomes Short-Form-36 questionnaire (SF-36). METHODS A systematic literature search was performed on PubMed, Web of Science and Embase until April 2017 to obtain eligible studies. Random effect model was performed to summarize the scores of each domain. Scores from the SF-36 questionnaire were used as the outcome measurements, and mean differences with 95% confidence intervals were calculated. RESULTS In total, seven studies were eligible for inclusion criteria, comprising 795 SSc patients and 1154 healthy controls. The SF-36 questionnaire score of each domain (physical function, role physical function, emotional role function, vitality, mental health, social function, body pain, general health) was lower in SSc patients than in healthy controls, meanwhile, physical component scale (PCS) and mental component scale (MCS) scores were all lower in patients with SSc than in healthy controls. Likewise, pooled mean scores of PCS and MCS ranged from 31.20 to 52.80, 37.40 to 68.30, respectively. Additionally, the score of PCS was lower than that of MCS in SSc patients. CONCLUSIONS This meta-analysis showed that SSc patients had lower HRQoL than healthy controls, and SSc had negative influence on the HRQoL of patients. This indicates that clinical workers should pay more attention to SSc patients' HRQoL, so as to improve global health of patients with SSc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Li
- School of Nursing, Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Yafei Cui
- School of Nursing, Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Shengnan Chen
- School of Nursing, Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Qian Zhao
- School of Nursing, Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Ting Fu
- Research Center of Clinical Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Juan Ji
- Department of Rheumatology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Liren Li
- School of Nursing, Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Zhifeng Gu
- Research Center of Clinical Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, China
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Morrisroe K, Stevens W, Proudman S, Nikpour M. A systematic review of the epidemiology, disease characteristics and management of systemic sclerosis in Australian adults. Int J Rheum Dis 2017; 20:1728-1750. [PMID: 29076640 DOI: 10.1111/1756-185x.13203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Australia has one of the highest prevalence rates of systemic sclerosis (SSc) worldwide. In order to highlight management deficiencies and key areas for further research, it is essential to understand its local epidemiological patterns, natural history, prognosis and mortality trends over time. METHODS To identify Australian SSc-specific information through a systematic review focusing on areas of epidemiology, disease characteristics, treatment, functional ability, disease burden and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). RESULTS MEDLINE, EMBASE and the Cochrane Library were searched on 14 September, 2016. All original full text articles on SSc in Australia were included. Of the 54 articles included in this review, the majority of studies recruited from South Australia, Victoria and New South Wales. The prevalence of SSc in Australia is increasing and is similar among the general population and the Aboriginal population. Despite improvements in care over the last three decades, morbidity and mortality remain high, with an overall standardized mortality ratio of 3.4 and a 10-year survival of 84% in a newly diagnosed patient. Cardiorespiratory manifestations are the leading cause of SSc-related death. Malignancy is the leading cause of non-SSc-related death. The role of autoantibodies in predicting disease subtype, visceral involvement and their use as a prognostic marker is becoming increasingly recognized. CONCLUSION Information on SSc in Australia, particularly unmet healthcare needs, HRQoL and economic burden, is limited. As a heterogenous condition, SSc requires a multi-disciplinary approach to care. Research aimed at quantifying HRQoL and burden of disease in Australia is essential for advocacy and resource allocation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathleen Morrisroe
- Department of Medicine, The University of Melbourne at St Vincent's Hospital, Melbourne, Vic., Australia.,Department of Rheumatology, St Vincent's Hospital, Melbourne, Vic., Australia
| | - Wendy Stevens
- Department of Rheumatology, St Vincent's Hospital, Melbourne, Vic., Australia
| | - Susanna Proudman
- Department of Rheumatology, Royal Adelaide Hospital, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.,Discipline of Medicine, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Mandana Nikpour
- Department of Medicine, The University of Melbourne at St Vincent's Hospital, Melbourne, Vic., Australia.,Department of Rheumatology, St Vincent's Hospital, Melbourne, Vic., Australia
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Musculoskeletal Involvement in Systemic Sclerosis: An Unexplored Aspect of the Disease. JOURNAL OF SCLERODERMA AND RELATED DISORDERS 2016. [DOI: 10.5301/jsrd.5000228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Musculoskeletal (MSK) symptoms in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) include articular involvement (arthralgia, synovitis, contractures), which is often an early phenomenon and significantly contributes to the disability. Predominantly the hands are affected. Consensus in outcome measures of articular involvement is missing. Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index (HAQ-DI), Cochin Hand Function Scale (CHFS), Hand Mobility Index in Scleroderma (HAMIS), and Disease Activity Score of 28 Joints (DAS28) may be used for the assessment of different aspects of joint involvement. There is an unmet need for therapies confirmed by randomized controlled clinical trials (RCTs) to treat both synovitis and non-inflammatory joint involvement. The few rehabilitation studies that have been conducted have shown some promising efficacy. Muscle involvement may be an early symptom. The presence of clinically meaningful muscle involvement often heralds an unfavourable prognosis. The histology of muscle biopsy shows a variable picture including inflammation and necrosis. Besides, signs of acute neurogenic atrophy have been recently described as a previously underestimated contributor to muscle weakness. Similar to articular involvement, the lack of classification criteria on inflammatory and non-inflammatory SSc-associated myopathies, and the lack of validated core set of outcome measures makes it difficult to perform RCTs. The SSc-specific fibrinous tenosynovitis (tendon-friction rubs /TFRs/) is a frequent finding in SSc. Patients with TFR are at increased risk of developing renal, vascular, cardiac and gastrointestinal involvement and have reduced survival rates. Changes of fibrinous tenosynovitis can be objectively detected by ultrasound and may be used as an outcome measure in the treatment of MSK involvement.
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Impaired quality of life in systemic sclerosis and patient perception of the disease: A large international survey. Semin Arthritis Rheum 2016; 46:115-23. [PMID: 27132536 DOI: 10.1016/j.semarthrit.2016.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2015] [Revised: 12/22/2015] [Accepted: 02/20/2016] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The purpose of this study was to assess health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and disease perception in a large, international group of patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). METHODS We placed a standardized questionnaire on a website for patient access. Socio-demographic information, disease characteristics, and self-assessment questionnaires-the Short Form 36 (SF-36) and the Revised Illness Perception Questionnaire (IPQ-R)-were collected. RESULTS A total of 1902 patients from 60 countries were included. HRQoL appeared to be impaired in SSc, particularly for physical health (PCS, mean ± SD = 43.4 ± 23.4). SSc patients also had strong perceptions about the chronic nature and negative consequence of the disease, and experienced negative emotions due to SSc. Patients with diffuse cutaneous SSc had a poorer HRQoL than those with limited cutaneous SSc, for both physical (PCS, mean ± SD = 46.6 ± 23.7 vs. 39.8 ± 22.3; p < 0.0001) and mental components (MCS, mean ± SD = 53.8 ± 23.0 vs. 50.3 ± 23.2; p = 0.003). Late-stage SSc patients were more likely to perceive their disease chronic (p < 0.0001), less controllable (p = 0.03) and with more consequences (p = 0.008), but they had a better understanding of their disease and experienced fewer negative emotions. Raynaud's phenomenon and gastrointestinal complications were the organ involvements with the greatest impact on QoL, they were the two variables associated with the most negative perception of illness severity. CONCLUSION This study, performed on the largest group ever set up for this purpose, confirms the major impact on QoL and the negative perceptions of their disease expressed by SSc patients. However, the perception of this illness tended to improve with disease duration, suggesting that patients find effective coping strategies.
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Comparison of clinical and serological parameters in female and male patients with systemic sclerosis. Reumatologia 2016; 53:315-20. [PMID: 27407264 PMCID: PMC4847285 DOI: 10.5114/reum.2015.57637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2015] [Accepted: 01/08/2016] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The course of systemic sclerosis (SSc) can differ in female and male patients. According to the literature the incidence rates of diffuse cutaneous SSc, scleroderma renal crisis and digital ulceration are higher in male patients. The aim of the study was to compare selected clinical and serological parameters in male and female patients with SSc. MATERIAL AND METHODS The study encompassed 101 European Caucasian patients with SSc, including 23 men, hospitalized in the Department of Rheumatology. Patients fulfilled the American Rheumatism Association (ARA) classification criteria for SSc. The study groups of men and women were assessed according to the SSc subtype, incidence of internal organ involvement and presence of antinuclear antibodies considered SSc markers. RESULTS Diffuse cutaneous (dc) SSc was observed more commonly in men than in women (13/23 vs. 25/78; p = 0.03). The time from the development of Raynaud's phenomenon to the diagnosis was significantly shorter in male compared to female patients (3.2 ±4.7 vs. 7.5 ±7.1; p = 0.01). The incidence of scleroderma renal crisis (SRC) was significantly higher (3/23 vs. 2/78; p = 0.04) and of other calcifications significantly lower in the male group compared to the female group (1/23 vs. 20/78; p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS We concluded that the incidence of dcSSc is higher in men compared to women. The time from the development of Raynaud's phenomenon to the diagnosis is shorter in the male compare to female group. The incidence of SRC is higher, whereas that of calcifications is lower in SSc men. The serological profiles of female and male patients with SSc are comparable.
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