Clinical and laboratory features of Japanese patients with scleroderma and telangiectasia.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a connective tissue disease characterized by sclerotic changes of the skin and internal organs. Telangiectasia is a frequent complication of patients with SSc.

OBJECTIVE:

To examine the prevalance of telangiectasia in patients with SSc and investigate the clinical and laboratory features of patients with SSc and telangiectasia.

METHODS:

In total, 211 patients with SSc who fulfilled the diagnostic criteria for SSc of the American College of Rheumatology were examined by laboratory and clinical methods. The average of disease duration time was 7.4 years.

RESULTS:

Telangiectasia was found in 119 of the 211 patients (56%) with SSc. The prevalence of oesophageal involvement, decreased diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO), heart involvement, calcinosis, shortening of the sublingual frenulum, or pitting scars was significantly greater in patients with telangiectasia than in those without telangiectasia.

CONCLUSION:

Our study suggests that the presence of telangiectasia may be a marker of oesophageal involvement, decreased DLCO, and heart involvement.

• Authors: R Ashida, H Ihn, Y Mimura, M Jinnin, Y Asano, M Kubo, K Tamaki
• Journal: Clinical and experimental dermatology (Clin Exp Dermatol) Vol. 34 Issue 7 Pg. 781-3 (Oct 2009) ISSN: 1365-2230 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 19508567 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Calcinosis (etiology)
• Child
• Esophageal Diseases (etiology)
• Female
• Heart Diseases (etiology)
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Pulmonary Diffusing Capacity (physiology)
• Scleroderma, Systemic (complications, physiopathology)
• Telangiectasis (etiology, physiopathology)
• Young Adult