INTRODUCTION The aims of the present study were to identify histopathological parameters which are linked to local clinical skin disease at two distinct anatomical sites in systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients with skin involvement (limited cutaneous systemic sclerosis (lcSSc) or diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis (dcSSc)) and to determine the sensitivity of SSc specific histological alterations...

Introduction Systemic sclerosis (ssc) is a rare multisystemic disease characterized by inflammation, vascular abnormalities, and fibrosis that affects the skin and various internal organs. Juvenile ssc accounts for fewer than 10% of all adults with ssc. Regarding effective treatment there were no specific pediatric data available, and the long-term efficacy of treatment for children with ssc ha...

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a chronic autoimmune disorder characterized by progressive fibrosis of the skin and visceral tissues as well as a noninflammatory vasculopathy. Vascular disease in systemic sclerosis is a major cause of morbidity and mortality among nonpregnant patients with SSc and is even a bigger concern in the pregnant SSc patient, as the underlying vasculopathy may prevent the r...

Fibrosis of oesophagus, lungs, heart, and kidney in the course of systemic sclerosis (SSc) may lead to dysfunction of the above organs or even patients death. Recent studies point out the role of angiogenesis and fibrosis disturbances in the pathogenesis of SSc. Heart fibrosis is one of the most important prognostic factors in SSc patients. So, the aim of our study was to examine cardiovascular...

To evaluate the effect of intravenous rituximab, a monoclonal antibody to B-cells, on interstitial lung disease, skin fibrosis and arthritis in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc).

Background Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a chronic disease characterised by systemic inflammation, vasculopathy and fibrosis. Primary myocardial disease occurs in both limited (lcSSc) and diffuse (dcSSc) cutaneous subtypes, and carries a poor prognosis. The natural history is poorly understood, with no clear approach to identifying the ‘at-risk’ patient. CMR studies in SSc have rarely correlated ...

OBJECTIVES To determine if anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) antibody titers can distinguish the overlap syndrome of systemic sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis (SSc-RA) in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) and to investigate the clinical significance of anti-CCP antibodies in SSc. METHODS Serum levels of anti-CCP antibodies were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay i...

Pulmonary disease is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). Recent well-designed trials in SSc-associated interstitial lung disease (SSc-ILD) have provided important insights regarding outcome measures and trial design. Recent investigations into the pathogenesis of SSc-ILD have led to a renewed interest in assessing targeted therapies in SSc-ILD...

R aynaud’s phenomenon (RP) with or without digital ulcer formation is a significant cause of morbidity for patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc, scleroderma). Lichtenstein reported oral sildenafil as a treatment of RP for patients with SSc, systemic lupus erythematosus, and idiopathic RP. His report included 10 patients from his community office practice given sildenafil, 50 mg once orally at ...

Background Systemic sclerosis (SSc, scleroderma) is a systemic autoimmune connective tissue disease (CTD). Disease subsetting specific to the extent of skin subdivides SSc into three following main subtypes: (1) limited cutaneous (lcSSc); (2) diffuse (dcSSc) and (3) sine scleroderma (ssSSc). Any subgroup can also have features one or more other CTDs [1]. When patient has any two CTDs, this sati...