Demographic data and disease characteristics of patients with SSc (n = 241).
| Data | Patients, n (%) |
|---|---|
| Mean age (yrs ± SD) | 57.8 ± 12 |
| Female | 208 (86.3) |
| Limited cutaneous form | 156 (64.7) |
| Diffuse cutaneous form* | 77 (30.3) |
| Pulmonary fibrosis** | 73 (28.9) |
| Pulmonary arterial hypertension** | 26 (10.8) |
| Positive for anti-nuclear antibodies*** | 202 (83.8) |
| Positive for anticentromere antibodies | 95 (39.4) |
| Positive for antitopoisomerase I | 68 (28.2) |
SSc: systemic sclerosis.
↵* According to the classification of LeRoy EC, et al15.
↵** Pulmonary fibrosis noted on computed tomography scans and/or abnormal pulmonary function tests (forced vital capacity less than 75%). Pulmonary arterial hypertension was confirmed in all cases by results of a right heart catheterization.
↵*** Antinuclear antibodies were detected by indirect immunofluorescence (IIF on HEp2) with a screening dilution of 1/100. Anticentromere and antitopoisomerase I antibodies were detected by commercially available kit (Elia from Phadia).