Micronutrient Deficiencies in Systemic Sclerosis: A Scoping Review.

Area of Science:

• Rheumatology
• Nutritional Science
• Systemic Sclerosis Research

Background:

• Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a complex autoimmune disease characterized by fibrosis and vascular abnormalities.
• Nutritional status, particularly micronutrient levels, may play a role in SSc pathogenesis and clinical presentation.
• Understanding micronutrient profiles in SSc is crucial for comprehensive patient management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify prevalent micronutrient deficiencies in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc).
• To explore potential associations between identified micronutrient deficiencies and specific clinical manifestations of SSc.

Main Methods:

• A comprehensive scoping review of published literature on SSc and nutrition was performed.
• Studies were identified through PubMed searches from inception to August 2020.
• Inclusion criteria encompassed clinical trials, observational studies, meta-analyses, and case series (≥20 cases) reporting on nutritional deficiencies in SSc.

Main Results:

• The review analyzed 35 full-length articles and 3 abstracts from 790 retrieved publications.
• Vitamin D deficiency was the most frequently reported, followed by vitamins B12, B9, and minerals like selenium, zinc, and iron.
• Associations between deficiencies (e.g., vitamin D, homocysteine) and SSc features (e.g., interstitial lung disease) were noted but lacked robust evidence.

Conclusions:

• Micronutrient deficiencies are common in SSc and correlate with disease features.
• Implementing routine micronutrient screening could facilitate early identification of malnutrition in SSc patients.
• Further research is required to ascertain the impact of micronutrient repletion interventions on SSc patient outcomes.