Objective: To determine the clinical and serologic risk factors for digital ischemic events in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc).
Methods: Retrospective review of clinical and laboratory data and review of current clinical status of 98 patients with SSc, seen between 1985 and 1990.
Results: Amputation of 1 or more digits due to ischemia occurred in 20.4% of the patients; 9.2% had multiple digit loss. Sclerodactyly alone and anticentromere antibody (ACA) were associated with loss of 1 or more digits. Age, smoking status, duration of disease, or duration of Raynaud's phenomenon were not predictive for loss of digits.
Conclusion: Patients with limited SSc who are positive for ACA have an increased risk of major peripheral vascular occlusive disease.