Clinical and laboratory profile of systemic sclerosis in northern India

The clinical and laboratory features of 87 patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) are described. A large majority of patients presented with diffuse disease with extensive ulcerations and digital resorption. No case of CREST syndrome was seen. The pattern of systemic involvement was generally similar to that reported in the Western literature. Renal involvement appeared to be less aggressive and chronic in its course. A possible aetiology was identified in three patients.