[The arthropathy of systemic sclerosis]

Area of Science:

• Rheumatology
• Radiology
• Systemic autoimmune diseases

Background:

• Joint involvement is a frequent manifestation of systemic sclerosis (SSc), impacting a third of patients.
• Clinical findings include arthralgias, stiffness, and tendon sheath involvement, predominantly affecting the fingers, wrists, and ankles.

Purpose of the Study:

• To detail the spectrum of joint involvement and radiographic abnormalities in systemic sclerosis.
• To highlight diagnostic challenges and radiological patterns in SSc patients.

Main Methods:

• Review of clinical findings in SSc patients with joint involvement.
• Analysis of common radiographic abnormalities, including calcinosis, digital tuft resorptions, demineralization, joint space narrowing, and erosions.
• Classification of radiological patterns into inflammatory, degenerative, and fibrotic categories.

Main Results:

• Common radiographic findings in SSc include subcutaneous calcinosis and digital tuft resorptions, particularly in the hands.
• Juxtaarticular demineralization, joint space narrowing, and erosions can mimic other arthropathies like rheumatoid arthritis.
• A fibrotic pattern is more prevalent in the hands, while a degenerative pattern is more common in the feet.

Conclusions:

• Joint manifestations and radiographic changes are significant in systemic sclerosis, affecting all subsets.
• Radiographic findings can present diagnostic challenges, necessitating careful evaluation.
• Distinct radiological patterns exist, with variations observed between hands and feet.