Increased levels of specific antibodies that can attack the host’s own tissues may be an early manifestation of systemic sclerosis (SSc) that can be detected years before clinical diagnosis. These autoantibodies may also help predict the onset of scleroderma renal crisis (SRC), a potentially life-threatening complication of the disease, a study suggests.
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is not associated with clinically significant exocrine pancreatic dysfunction, a condition that can promote malnutrition in patients, researchers report. Of note, exocrine refers to the part of the pancreas that functions as a gland, producing and secreting digestive enzymes. The study, “Exocrine Pancreatic Function is…
Certain clinical characteristics that researchers suggest could be potentially useful indicators of interstitial lung disease in systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients were recently identified in a study. Findings indicated that longer disease duration, positive anti-Scl70 antibody titers, higher white blood cell and platelet counts, greater erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) levels,…
A new blood test measures autoantibodies called anti-vinculin, which have been found to be higher in scleroderma patients and have also been associated with gastrointestinal complications and pulmonary hypertension. The test, called sclero-smart, was developed through a partnership with the Medically Associated Science and Technology (MAST) program at…
A recent study found that short-term progression rate of interstitial lung disease (ILD) in systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a better predictor of long-term survival than baseline ILD severity. ILD progression was clinically detected over a two-year period as a gradual decline in two lung function parameters: forced vital capacity (FVC,…
Non-invasive, local treatment of digital ulcers with ozone for 20 days showed clinical effectiveness in systemic sclerosis patients, according to a new study. The study, “Non-invasive Oxygen-Ozone Therapy in Treating Digital Ulcers of Patients with Systemic Sclerosis,” was published in the journal Acta Reumatológica Portuguesa, and was conducted…
The presence of moderate or severe small joint contractures, finger ulcerations, and the severity of Raynaud’s phenomenon show the strongest association with impaired hand function in scleroderma patients, a study reports. The study, “The association of sociodemographic and disease variables with hand function: a Scleroderma Patient-centered Intervention Network cohort…
Get regular updates to your inbox.