Hands and feet radiologic involvements in systemic sclerosis

Area of Science:

• Rheumatology
• Radiology
• Autoimmune Diseases

Background:

• Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a rare autoimmune disease affecting skin and internal organs.
• Vascular and fibrotic changes are characteristic of SSc.
• Understanding SSc's impact on extremities is crucial for patient management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the prevalence and characteristics of radiological hand and foot involvement in Iranian SSc patients.
• To identify associations between clinical features and radiologic findings in SSc.
• To investigate specific radiological manifestations in SSc extremities.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study involving 43 Iranian Systemic Sclerosis patients (41 women, 2 men).
• Median age of patients was 44.8 years with a mean disease duration of 11.8 years.
• Radiological assessment of hands and feet for specific changes.

Main Results:

• 97.7% of SSc patients exhibited radiological changes in hands and/or feet.
• Common hand findings: Juxta-articular Osteoporosis (93%), Acro-osteolysis (58.2%), Joint Space Narrowing (55.8%).
• Common foot findings: Juxta-articular Osteoporosis (93%), Joint Space Narrowing (58.1%), Acro-osteolysis (46.5%).
• Active skin involvement (mRSS > 14) was linked to higher rates of joint space narrowing and acro-osteolysis (p=0.002).
• Rheumatoid factor was positive in 30.2% and anti-CCP in 9.3% of patients.

Conclusions:

• Arthropathy is a frequent manifestation in Systemic Sclerosis patients.
• Specific radiological involvements in SSc extremities require further investigation.
• Defining these radiological patterns may aid in SSc prognosis and treatment strategies.