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Updated: May 30, 2026
04:44
Imaging Features of Systemic Sclerosis-Associated Interstitial Lung Disease
Published on: June 16, 2020
Skeletal and cardiac muscles involvement in systemic sclerosis
Lilian Schade1, Eduardo Dos Santos Paiva, Carolina de Souza Müller
1Service of Rheumatology of the Hospital de Clínicas of the Universidade Federal do Paraná (HC-UFPR), Brazil. lilianschade@yahoo.com.br
Revista Brasileira De Reumatologia
|July 23, 2011
Summary
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) often involves muscle issues, potentially worsening heart function and prognosis. This study found a high prevalence of muscle involvement in SSc patients, linked to diffuse disease and left ventricular dysfunction.
Area of Science:
- Rheumatology
- Cardiology
- Neurology
Background:
- Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is an autoimmune disease characterized by fibrosis, vascular abnormalities, and immune dysregulation.
- Muscle involvement in SSc can manifest as inflammatory myositis or non-inflammatory myopathy.
- Left ventricular dysfunction (LVD) is a known complication of SSc, associated with a poorer prognosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence of skeletal muscle manifestations in patients with SSc.
- To examine the relationship between muscle involvement and left ventricular dysfunction (LVD) in SSc patients.
Main Methods:
- Eighty-seven patients diagnosed with SSc were evaluated.
- Assessment included evaluation for skeletal muscle manifestations (myositis, myopathy, strength, atrophy, creatine phosphokinase levels).
- Left ventricular function was assessed, excluding other causes of LVD.
Main Results:
- A 42.5% prevalence of muscle involvement was observed in the studied SSc patient cohort.
- Muscle involvement showed a positive correlation with the diffuse form of SSc.
- Among SSc patients with reduced ejection fraction (excluding other causes of LVD), three out of four exhibited muscle strength alterations, atrophy, or elevated serum creatine phosphokinase (CPK).
Conclusions:
- Muscle involvement is common in patients with systemic sclerosis.
- Skeletal muscle manifestations in SSc are associated with left ventricular dysfunction.
- These findings suggest a potential link between muscle and cardiac involvement in SSc, impacting prognosis.
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