Statistical analysis of clinical and laboratory characteristics of systemic sclerosis

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is an autoimmune connective tissue disease characterized by vasculopathy and excessive collagen deposition in the skin and internal organs. Based on the skin damage we divide the patients into two groups: limited and diffuse SSc. In restricted type, the thickness of the skin is limited in the face and distal parts of the elbows and knees, with less involvement of internal organs, whereas in diffuse type, facial skin, organs, and trunk generally increase in thickness and internal visceral involvement is noticeable as renal failure, pulmonary artery pressure, and interstitial lung fibrosis. According to the prevalence studies, the prevalence of systemic sclerosis is estimated to be 15 cases per 100,000, of which the prevalence in women is 3 times more than men. Based on clinical evidence the prevalence of SSc is high in Khuzestan province. The aim of this article was to evaluate the demographic features of SSc in Khuzestan province, Iran.

This cross-sectional study conducted on two hundred SSc patients referred to Rheumatology Clinic of the Golestan University Hospital in Iran, from 2001 to 2015. Patients were selected based on the American College of Rheumatology classification criteria for SSc and were divided into diffuse and restricted types based on the site of skin involvement. Individual characteristics and clinical symptoms were extracted from the information in the patient records which were carefully compiled by physicians. Data on age, sex, race, duration of illness, and family history of SSc were collected orally.

91.5% of the enrolled patients were female. The mean age was 44 years and the most common race in our study was Lor. The prevalence of the diffuse form of SSc was 68% and the limited form was 32%. The Raynaud's phenomenon was detected in 100% of patients. Sclerodactyly and interstitial lung disease were found in 88.5% and 54.5% of patients respectively. Laboratory features such as ANA (93%), Anti-Scl-70 (77.5%) and anti-centromere antibody (ACA) (70%) of SSc patients were reported.

According to the results of this article, the most systemic sclerosis patients in Khuzestan province were middle-aged Lor race females and the most common type was diffuse systemic sclerosis.