Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 26, 2026
04:44
Imaging Features of Systemic Sclerosis-Associated Interstitial Lung Disease
Published on: June 16, 2020
Arthritis in patients with systemic sclerosis.
Tim Schmeiser1, Jörn Pons-Kühnemann, Filiz Özden
1Department of Internal Medicine and Rheumatology, Kerckhoff-Klinik, Justus-Liebig University Gießen, Germany. t.schmeiser@kerckhoff-klinik.de
European Journal of Internal Medicine
|December 14, 2011
Summary
Arthritis is a common manifestation in Systemic Sclerosis (SSc), affecting nearly a third of patients. This study highlights the frequent occurrence of joint issues in SSc patients, necessitating further research into their impact.
Area of Science:
- Rheumatology
- Immunology
- Internal Medicine
Background:
- Systemic Sclerosis (SSc) is a connective tissue disease characterized by skin thickening and internal organ involvement.
- Musculoskeletal symptoms are common in SSc, yet arthritis is often considered a rare complication.
- This study investigates the prevalence and characteristics of arthritis in SSc patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of arthritis in a cohort of Systemic Sclerosis patients.
- To compare the findings with existing literature through a meta-analysis.
- To assess the association of arthritis with SSc subtypes.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of clinical and radiological data from 58 SSc inpatients.
- Systematic literature search on PubMed for studies on arthritis in SSc.
- Meta-analysis of 7 selected studies using a random-effect model.
Main Results:
- Arthritis was observed in 31% of the SSc cohort (19% clinical, 26% radiological).
- Meta-analysis revealed a prevalence of 26% for radiological and 23% for clinical arthritis in SSc.
- No significant difference in arthritis occurrence was found between diffuse and limited SSc subtypes.
Conclusions:
- Arthritis is a frequent manifestation in Systemic Sclerosis.
- Further research is needed to establish the role of arthritis in SSc-related joint dysfunction.
Related Concept Videos
01:23Rheumatic Heart Disease I: Introduction
Rheumatic heart disease or RHD is a chronic condition that results from rheumatic fever, causing permanent damage to the heart valves.Etiology and Risk FactorsIt primarily arises from rheumatic fever, an inflammatory disease that can develop after untreated or inadequately treated group A streptococcal (GAS) pharyngitis. Streptococcus spreads through direct contact with oral or respiratory secretions. While the bacteria are the causative agents, factors like malnutrition, overcrowding, poor...
01:11Genome-wide Association Studies-GWAS
Genome-wide association studies or GWAS are used to identify whether common SNPs are associated with certain diseases. Suppose specific SNPs are more frequently observed in individuals with a particular disease than those without the disease. In that case, those SNPs are said to be associated with the disease. Chi-square analysis is performed to check the probability of the allele likely to be associated with the disease.
GWAS does not require the identification of the target gene involved in...
GWAS does not require the identification of the target gene involved in...
01:22Rheumatic Heart Disease II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies
The key clinical manifestations of Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) include several distinct cardiac symptoms.Carditis, a hallmark of acute rheumatic fever, involves inflammation of the heart's endocardium, myocardium, and pericardium. Chronic RHD often results from recurrent episodes of carditis. Its symptoms include the following:Murmurs are caused by valvular damage, especially to the mitral and aortic valves. Mitral stenosis or regurgitation is common, with characteristic heart murmurs...
01:20The JAK-STAT Signaling Pathway
Several cytokine receptors have tightly bound Janus kinase or JAK proteins attached at their cytosolic tail. Small signaling molecules such as cytokines, growth hormones, or prolactins bind to the cytokine receptors and initiate their dimerization. The dimerization brings the cytosolic JAKs together that trans-phosphorylate and activates each other. The activated JAKs now phosphorylate cytosolic tails of the cytokine receptors, which serve as binding sites for adaptor proteins such as SH2...
01:21Rheumatic Heart Disease III: Medical Management
Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) management can be divided into two main strategies: prevention and long-term management.Primary PreventionPrimary prevention focuses on timely diagnosis and management of group A streptococcal pharyngitis to prevent acute rheumatic fever. The most widely used antibiotic for treating this condition is intramuscular benzathine penicillin G.Acute Rheumatic Fever TreatmentThe primary treatment goal for a patient diagnosed with acute rheumatic fever is to suppress the...
01:24T Cell Types and Functions
When T cells with CD4 markers are activated, they give rise to two types of effector cells: helper T cells and regulatory T cells. Meanwhile, T cells with CD8 markers differentiate into effector cytotoxic T cells. The differentiation of CD4 T cells into helper T cell subsets, such as Th1, Th2, and Th17 cells, is dependent on the antigen type, antigen-presenting cell, and regulatory cytokines.
Th1 cells stimulate dendritic cells to express necessary co-stimulatory molecules on their surfaces for...
Th1 cells stimulate dendritic cells to express necessary co-stimulatory molecules on their surfaces for...