January 2018 Scleroderma News

FOXP3, ICOS and ICOSL gene polymorphisms in systemic sclerosis (SSc). This study provides evidence of the association of rs2294020 with SSc evolution in female patients, while no effect on SSc susceptibility per se was found. PubMed, Immunobiology, 2018 Jan;223(1):112-117. (Also see Genetics)

First clinical symptom as a prognostic factor in systemic sclerosis: results of a retrospective nationwide cohort study. The mode of onset should be considered an independent prognostic factor in systemic sclerosis and, in particular, patients who initially present with non–Raynaud's phenomenon may be considered of poor prognosis. PubMed, Clin Rheumatol, 12/07/2017. (Also see Prognosis and Mortality)

Disability, fatigue, pain and their associates in early diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis (dcSSc): the European Scleroderma Observational Study. The European Scleroderma Observational Study highlights the burden of disability in early dcSSc, with high levels of disability and fatigue, associating with the degree of skin thickening (mRSS). PubMed, Rheumatology (Oxford), 11/30/2017. (Also see Diffuse Scleroderma)

Relationship Between Ventricular Arrhythmias, Conduction Disorders, and Myocardial Fibrosis in Patients With Systemic Sclerosis. Delayed–enhancement magnetic resonance imaging can identify myocardial fibrosis in a high percentage of scleroderma patients. PubMed, J Clin Rheumatol, 12/01/2017. (Also see Diagnosis of Scleroderma Heart Involvement)

The IL-1 family of cytokines. Do they have a role in scleroderma fibrosis? Recent analyses of the IL-1 family of cytokines have demonstrated that many of them play a role in skin inflammation and fibrosis and their corresponding antagonists (IL-1RA and IL-36RA) can abrogate this pathology. PubMed, Immunol Lett, 12/04/2017. (Also see Interleukins)

Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) in systemic sclerosis patients with cardiac symptoms. Myocardial involvement in systemic sclerosis can be assumed by the presence of multiple pathologic MRI findings and CMR seems to be a valuable tool to identify and assess the presence of cardiac involvement. PubMed, Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci, 2017 Nov;21(21):4797-4803. (Also see Diagnosis of Scleroderma Heart Involvement)

Physical activity (PA) in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). In SSc patients, the total minutes of PA per week are significantly lower compared to the general population. PubMed, Rheumatol Int, 11/18/2017. (Also see Coping Strategies)

Gastrointestinal (GIT) and Hepatic Disease in Systemic Sclerosis (SSc). Proper diagnostics and therapeutics for SSc-GIT involvement require the treating physician to have an understanding of an integrated approach and potential medication adverse effects. PubMed, Rheum Dis Clin North Am, 2018 Feb;44(1):15-28. (Also see Gastrointestinal Involvement)

Pushing cells to self–destruct combats deadly fibrosis. New research offers clues for how to selectively destroy the cells known as myofibroblasts that drive the condition. Science Magazine, 12/13/2017. (Also see Fibroblasts)

Defining a unified vascular phenotype in systemic sclerosis. The more recent biomarker longitudinal studies support the concept of generalized vasculopathy and a potential association between various cardiovascular complications. PubMed, Arthritis Rheumatol, 11/16/2017. (Also see Vascular Involvement and Digital Ulcers)

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