TY - JOUR T1 - Systemic Sclerosis in Canada's North American Native Population: Assessment of Clinical and Serological Manifestations JF - The Journal of Rheumatology JO - J Rheumatol DO - 10.3899/jrheum.121212 SP - jrheum.121212 AU - Adrienne Bacher AU - Shikha Mittoo AU - Marie Hudson AU - Solène Tatibouet AU - the Canadian Scleroderma Research Group AU - Murray Baron Y1 - 2013/05/15 UR - http://www.jrheum.org/content/early/2013/05/13/jrheum.121212.abstract N2 - Objective Certain North American Native (NAN) populations are known to have higher rates of systemic sclerosis (SSc) compared to non-NAN; however, little is known of the specific disease characteristics in this population in Canada. This study compares the clinical and serological manifestations of SSc in NAN and white patients. Methods This cross-sectional, multicenter study included subjects enrolled in the Canadian Scleroderma Research Group registry between September 2004 and June 2012. Subjects were evaluated with complete medical histories, physical examinations, and self-questionnaires. Ethnicity was defined by self-report. Disease characteristics were compared between NAN and white patients and multivariate analyses were performed to determine the independent association between ethnicity and various clinical manifestations. Results Of 1278 patients, 1038 (81%) were white, 71 (6%) were NAN, and 169 (13%) were classified as non-white/non-NAN. There were important differences between NAN and white subjects with SSc. In multivariate analysis adjusting for socioeconomic differences and smoking status, NAN ethnicity was an independent risk factor for the severity of Raynaud phenomenon and more gastrointestinal symptoms, and was associated with a nonsignificant increase in the presence of digital ulcers. Conclusion NAN patients with SSc have a distinct clinical phenotype. Our study provides a strong rationale to pursue further research into genetic and environmental determinants of SSc. ER -