Clinical, serological and genetic study in patients with CREST syndrome

Association of anti-Ro52 autoantibody with interstitial lung disease in autoimmune diseases: a systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVES

Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is an important manifestation of autoimmune diseases that can lead to morbidity and mortality. Although several autoantibodies have been linked with ILD presentation and adverse outcomes, the association of anti-Ro52 antibody with ILD is less studied. Hence, we investigated this association in various autoimmune diseases in the current study.

DESIGN

We designed a systematic review and meta-analysis and did a comprehensive search from inception until 2 January 2023.

DATA SOURCES

A systematic search was conducted in four electronic databases: PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus and Embase.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Observational studies that reported ILD diagnosis (outcome) and anti-Ro antibody (exposure) status in any autoimmune conditions (population) were included. The association between rapidly progressive ILD (RP-ILD) and anti-Ro52 was studied in idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM).

DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS

Collected data included study characteristics and ORs with 95% CIs. Quality assessment was performed using a modified version of the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale for cross-sectional studies. Random effects meta-analysis was used to pool the effect estimates.

RESULTS

A total of 2353 studies were identified, from which 59 articles met the eligibility criteria. Anti-Ro52/SSA positivity was associated with ILD in all autoimmune disease subgroups: IIM (OR=3.08; 95% CI: 2.18 to 4.35; p value<0.001; I2=49%), systemic lupus (OR=2.43; 95% CI: 1.02 to 5.79; p=0.046; I2=71%), Sjogren (OR=1.77; 95% CI: 1.09 to 2.87; p=0.021; I2=73%), systemic sclerosis (OR=1.71; 95% CI: 1.04 to 2.83; p=0.036; I2=43%), mixed connective tissue disease (OR=3.34; 95% CI: 1.82 to 6.13; p<0.001; I2=0%). Additionally, anti-Ro52-positive myopathy patients were more likely to have simultaneous RP-ILD (OR=2.69; 95% CI:1.50 to 4.83; p<0.001; I2=71%).

CONCLUSION

Anti-Ro52/SSA positivity is associated with a higher frequency of ILD diagnosis in various autoimmune diseases. Anti-Ro52/SSA is also linked with a more severe lung involvement (RP-ILD). Future studies can investigate the benefits of screening for anti-Ro52 and its association with ILD development.

PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER

CRD42022381447.

Incidence and Predictors of an Abnormal Liver Function Test Among 674 Systemic Sclerosis Patients: A Cohort Study

Background

Abnormal liver function tests (LFTs) can indicate cirrhosis or liver cancer leading to mortality among systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients. No recent studies have investigated the clinical predictors of an abnormal LFT in SSc. We aimed to determine the incidence of abnormal LFT (including from hepatitis and cholestasis) and to identify its clinical predictors in SSc patients.

Methods

An historical cohort was conducted on 674 adult SSc patients who attended the Scleroderma Clinic, Khon Kaen University, between January 2012 and November 2019 and who underwent routine screening for LFT. A Cox regression was used to analyze the clinical predictors of abnormal LFT.

Results

Four hundred and thirty cases, representing 4190 person-years, had abnormal LFTs (viz, from hepatitis, cholestasis, and cholestatic hepatitis) for an incidence rate of 10.2 per 100 person-years. The respective incidence of hepatitis, cholestasis, and cholestatic hepatitis was 20.5, 12.9, and 20.4 per 100 person-years. The respective median first-time detection of hepatitis, cholestasis, and cholestatic hepatitis was 3.0, 5.9, and 2.8 years, and none had signs or symptoms suggestive of liver disease. According to the Cox regression analysis, the predictors of an abnormal LFT in SSc were elderly onset of SSc (hazard ratio (HR) 1.02), alcoholic drinking (HR 1.74), high modified Rodnan Skin Score (mRSS) (HR 1.03), edematous skin (HR 2.94), Raynaud's phenomenon (HR 1.39), hyperCKaemia (HR 1.88), and methotrexate use (HR 1.55). In contrast, current sildenafil treatment (HR 0.63) and high serum albumin (HR 0.70) were protective factors.

Conclusion

Occult hepatitis, cholestasis, and cholestatic hepatitis can be detected in SSc patients using LFT screening, especially in cases of early disease onset. The long-term outcome is uncertain, and more longitudinal research is required.

A review of liver dysfunction in the lung transplant patient

Liver dysfunction is an increasingly common finding in patients evaluated for lung transplantation. New or worsening dysfunction in the perioperative period, defined by presence of clinical ascites/encephalopathy, high model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score, and/or independent diagnostic criteria, is associated with high short- and long-term mortality. Therefore, a thorough liver function assessment is necessary prior to listing for lung transplant. Unfortunately, identification and intraoperative monitoring remain the only options for prevention of disease progression with isolated lung transplantation. Combined lung and liver transplantation may provide an option for definitive long-term management in selecting patients with known liver disease at high risk for postoperative progression. However, experience with the combined operation is extremely limited and indications for combined lung and liver transplant remain unclear. Herein, we present a comprehensive literature review of patients with liver dysfunction undergoing lung transplantation with and without concurrent liver transplant in an effort to illuminate the risks, benefits, and clinical judgement surrounding decision to pursue combined lung-liver transplantation (CLLT). We also argue description of liver function is currently a weakness of the current lung allocation scoring system. Additional algorithms incorporating liver function may aid in risk stratification and decision to pursue combined transplantation.

A case of gastric cardia telangiectasias and primary biliary cirrhosis with hemorrhage

In patients presenting with persistent anemia and gastric cardia telangiectasias, a potential etiology of portal hypertension due to chronic liver disease, especially primary biliary cirrhosis, should be considered. Drugs for treating specific liver disease and lowering portal hypertension are effective strategies to prevent hemorrhage.

Proteomics characterization of CENP-B epitope in Moroccan scleroderma patients with anti-centromere autoantibodies

BACKGROUND

Anti-centromere auto-antibodies (ACA) have been described as a marker in Systemic sclerosis (SSc) disease. CENP-B is the major centromere auto-antigen recognized by SSc patients with positive ACA. Our aim was to characterize the major epitope involved in the anti-CENP-B immune response of Moroccan SSc patients.

PATIENTS AND METHOD

For identification of SSc biomarkers, 80 sera from patients with SSc and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) were screened by indirect immunofluorescence test (IIF) to assess the presence of ANA reactivity. Immunoblotting analysis was performed for 11 sera with positive ACA using the N-terminal and C-terminal region of CENP-B protein as antigens.

RESULTS

29 out of 30 (96, 66 %) patients with SSc had positive ANA. 11 out of 30 (36, 67 %) patients were ACA positive and 6 of them produced auto-antibodies against Nt-CENPB antigen. Two of these 6 Nt-CENPB positive sera produced also other auto-antibodies associated to primary biliary cirrhosis. None of all sera tested showed reactivity against Ct-CENPB.

CONCLUSION

Our data showed, for the first time in Morocco, that the Nt-CENPB contains a major epitope for Moroccan SSc patients. These findings could provide additional information that would contribute to improving the diagnosis and management of these patients.

Histopathological differences between primary Sjögren's syndrome and Sjögren's syndrome accompanied by scleroderma

Background

Investigation of morphological differences in relation with serological variables between primary versus secondary Sjögren's syndrome associated with systemic scleroderma (Scl-SS).

Materials and Methods

A total of 69 primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) and Scl-SS patients were grouped according to the American-European Consensus Group criteria. Serum autoantibody information was obtained from the patient records. Hematoxylin and eosin sections of the minor salivary gland biopsy were reevaluated, and the lymphocyte focus score (FS), plasma cell focus, and fibrosis rates were all evaluated.

Results

There were 43 pSS and 26 Scl-SS cases. Both biopsy and autoantibody were positive in 16 pSS cases while only biopsy was positive in 25 cases and only antibody in 1 case. Both biopsy and antibody were positive in 5 Scl-SS cases while only biopsy was positive in 18 and only antibody in 3 cases. The plasma cell focus was statistically significantly higher in pSS cases (P = 0.003). No difference was seen between Sjögren' syndrome (SS) subtypes in terms of lymphocyte FS, fibrosis, and autoantibody positivity.

Conclusion

We found that plasma cell focuses could be found more frequently in pSS than Scl-SS. In addition, our study reveals that the coexistence of SS and systemic scleroderma decreases the incidence of FS value ≥1 compared to pSS.

Development of autoantibodies precedes clinical manifestations of autoimmune diseases: A comprehensive review

The etiology of autoimmune diseases is due to a combination of genetic predisposition and environmental factors that alter the expression of immune regulatory genes through various mechanisms including epigenetics. Both humoral and cellular elements of the adaptive immune system play a role in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases and the presence of autoantibodies have been detected in most but not all autoimmune diseases before the appearance of clinical symptoms. In some cases, the presence or levels of these autoantibodies portends not only the risk of developing a corresponding autoimmune disease, but occasionally the severity as well. This observation is intriguing because it suggests that we can, to some degree, predict who may or may not develop autoimmune diseases. However, the role of autoantibodies in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases, whether they actually affect disease progression or are merely an epiphenomenon is still not completely clear in many autoimmune diseases. Because of these gaps in our knowledge, the ability to accurately predict a future autoimmune disease can only be considered a relative risk factor. Importantly, it raises the critical question of defining other events that may drive a patient from a preclinical to a clinical phase of disease.

Extrahepatic Autoimmune Diseases in Patients with Autoimmune Liver Diseases: A Phenomenon Neglected by Gastroenterologists

Autoimmune liver diseases (AILDs) often coexist with other extrahepatic autoimmune diseases (EHAIDs). The spectrum of EHAIDs in patients with AILDs is similar, whereas the incidence is different. Notably, autoimmune thyroid disease and Sjogren's syndrome are the most common EHAIDs. Associated extrahepatic diseases may predate the appearance of AILDs or coincide with their onset. More frequently, they may appear during the course and even occur years after the diagnosis of AILDs. Importantly, associated EHAIDs may influence the natural course and prognosis of AILDs. To date, a definite pathophysiological pathway which contributes to the coexistence of AILDs and EHAIDs is still lacking. The current view of autoimmunity clustering involves a common susceptibility genetic background which applies to related pathologies. Herein, we review the current published researches regarding EHAIDs in patients with AILDs, particularly in relation to their clinical impact and pathophysiology. In managing patients with AILDs, gastroenterologists should be aware of the possibly associated EHAIDs to ensure a prompt diagnosis and better outcome.

The management of autoimmunity in patients with cholestatic liver diseases

Cholestatic liver diseases are rare diseases that often lead to cirrhosis and its consequent complications. In addition to liver-related morbidity, patients with cholestatic liver diseases often suffer from autoimmune diseases that affect several organs and tissues. The robust and efficient data collection and collaboration between hepatologists and rheumatologists have led to significant advancements in understanding the relationship between the cholestatic liver diseases and associated autoimmune diseases. In this paper, we discuss the cholestatic liver diseases (primary biliary cirrhosis, primary sclerosing cholangitis and immunoglobulin G4 associated cholangitis) and associated autoimmune diseases.

Anti-centromere protein A antibodies in systemic sclerosis: Significance and origin

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is systemic, autoimmune, connective tissue disorder characterized by vascular abnormalities, collagen deposition (fibrosis), and the production of autoantibodies to nuclear proteins. About 20%-40% of patients have antibodies to centromere protein (CENP)-A or -B. Despite the known association of anti-CENP antibodies with certain clinical features of SSc, the role of these antibodies in SSc physiopathology is still poorly understood. To better understand the clinical significance and origin of these antibodies, we and others have been studying the epitopic motifs (amino acid contact sites) on CENP-A with the aim of determining whether other proteins can prime or be targeted by them. Here, we review published and ongoing studies aimed at defining the fine specificity and origin of anti-CENP-A antibodies. We describe progress made in identifying the CENP-A epitopic motif amino acids, and the discovery of one of these motifs in forkhead box protein E3 (FOXE-3), a transcription factor previously studied only for its role in the development of lens fiber cells. Moreover, we discuss preliminary evidence for a possible role of FOXE-3 in SSc pathogenesis and for the association of different subsets of anti-CENP-A antibodies, heterogeneously expressed among SSc patients, with some clinical correlates.

Update on biomarkers in systemic sclerosis: tools for diagnosis and treatment

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a complex autoimmune disease in which immune activation, vasculopathy, and extensive fibrosis of the skin and internal organs are among the principal features. SSc is a heterogeneous disease with varying manifestations and clinical outcomes. Currently, patients’ clinical evaluation often relies on subjective measures, non-quantitative methods, or requires invasive procedures as markers able to predict disease trajectory or response to therapy are lacking. Therefore, current research is focusing on the discovery of useful biomarkers reflecting ongoing inflammatory or fibrotic activity in the skin and internal organs, as well as being predictive of future disease course. Recently, remarkable progress has been made towards a better understanding of numerous mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of SSc. This has opened new possibilities for the development of novel biomarkers and therapy. However, current proposed biomarkers that could reliably describe various aspects of SSc still require further investigation. This review will summarize studies describing the commonly used and validated biomarkers, the newly emerging and promising SSc biomarkers identified to date, and consideration of future directions in this field.

Autoimmunity: from black water fever to regulatory function

Autoimmunity is a field that has only been around for a little over a century. Initially, it was thought that autoimmunity could not happen, that the body would never turn on itself (i.e. "horror autotoxicus"). It was only around the First World War that autoimmunity was recognized as the pathogenesis of various diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis. The discovery of Compound E led to successful treatment of patients with autoimmune diseases, but it was not till later that the adverse effects of this class of drugs were elucidated. The "modern" age of autoimmunity began around 1945 with the description of blackwater fever, and most of the subsequent research on hemolytic anemia and the role of an autoantibody in its pathogenesis led to a description of the anti-globulin reaction. The lupus erythematous (LE) cell was recognized in the mid-1940s by Hargreaves. His research carried on into the 1960s. Rheumatoid factor was also first described in the 1940s as yet another serum factor with activity against globulin-coated sheep red blood cells. The concept of autoimmunity really gained a foothold in the 1950s, when autoimmune thyroid disease and idiopathic thrombocytopenia were first described. Much has happened since then, and our understanding of autoimmunity has evolved now to include mechanisms of apoptosis, signaling pathway derangements, and the discovery of subsets of T cells with regulatory activity. The modern day study of autoimmunity is a fascinating area of research, and full understanding of the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases is far from being completely elucidated.

Liver abnormalities in connective tissue diseases

The liver is a lymphoid organ involved in the immune response and in the maintenance of tolerance to self molecules, but it is also a target of autoimmune reactions, as observed in primary liver autoimmune diseases (AILD) such as autoimmune hepatitis, primary biliary cirrhosis, and primary sclerosing cholangitis. Further, the liver is frequently involved in connective tissue diseases (CTD), most commonly in the form of liver function test biochemical changes with predominant cholestatic or hepatocellular patterns. CTD commonly affecting the liver include systemic lupus erythematosus, antiphospholypid syndrome, primary Sjögren's syndrome, systemic sclerosis, dermatomyositis, polimyositis, and anti-synthetase syndrome, while overlap syndromes between AILD and CTD may also be diagnosed. Although liver cirrhosis and failure are extremely rare in patients with CTD, unusual liver conditions such as nodular regenerative hyperplasia or Budd-Chiari syndrome have been reported with increasing frequency in patients with CTD. Acute or progressing liver involvement is generally related to viral hepatitis reactivation or to a concomitant AILD, so it appears to be fundamental to screen patients for HBV and HCV infection, in order to provide the ideal therapeutic regimen and avoid life-threatening reactivations. Finally, it is important to remember that the main cause of biochemical liver abnormalities in patients with CTD is a drug-induced alteration or coexisting viral hepatitis. The present article will provide a general overview of the liver involvement in CTD to allow rheumatologists to discriminate the most common clinical scenarios.

High prevalence of primary biliary cirrhosis and disease-associated autoantibodies in Japanese patients with systemic sclerosis

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the prevalence of primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) and PBC-associated autoantibodies in Japanese systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients.

METHODS

Clinical data from 225 Japanese SSc patients were retrospectively obtained. Serum samples from these patients were examined for PBC-associated autoantibodies, anti-mitochondrial M2 antibodies (AMA), anti-sp100 antibodies (anti-sp100), and anti-gp210 antibodies (anti-gp210) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

RESULTS

Of 225 patients, 37 (16.4%) had AMA, 13 (5.8%) had anti-sp100, and 3 (1.3%) had anti-gp210. Three patients were positive for both AMA and anti-sp100, and 2 were positive for both AMA and anti-gp210. PBC was found in 22 (9.8%) patients positive for AMA with or without anti-sp100 or anti-gp210, but not in those with anti-sp100 or anti-gp210 without AMA. Furthermore, 13 patients lacking these three antibodies were diagnosed with or suspected of PBC by liver biopsy and/or their clinical manifestation. Multivariable analysis revealed that AMA and anti-centromere antibodies were independently associated with PBC in SSc patients, while anti-sp100 and anti-gp210 were not.

CONCLUSIONS

This study has demonstrated even higher prevalence of both PBC-associated autoantibodies and PBC in the Japanese SSc population than in the Caucasian SSc population. AMA and anti-centromere antibodies are likely to indicate increasing risk of PBC in SSc patients.

High prevalence of primary biliary cirrhosis and disease-associated autoantibodies in Japanese patients with systemic sclerosis

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the prevalence of primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) and PBC-associated autoantibodies in Japanese systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients.

METHODS

Clinical data from 225 Japanese SSc patients were retrospectively obtained. Serum samples from these patients were examined for PBC-associated autoantibodies, anti-mitochondrial M2 antibodies (AMA), anti-sp100 antibodies (anti-sp100), and anti-gp210 antibodies (anti-gp210) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

RESULTS

Of 225 patients, 37 (16.4%) had AMA, 13 (5.8%) had anti-sp100, and 3 (1.3%) had anti-gp210. Three patients were positive for both AMA and anti-sp100, and 2 were positive for both AMA and anti-gp210. PBC was found in 22 (9.8%) patients positive for AMA with or without anti-sp100 or anti-gp210, but not in those with anti-sp100 or anti-gp210 without AMA. Furthermore, 13 patients lacking these three antibodies were diagnosed with or suspected of PBC by liver biopsy and/or their clinical manifestation. Multivariable analysis revealed that AMA and anti-centromere antibodies were independently associated with PBC in SSc patients, while anti-sp100 and anti-gp210 were not.

CONCLUSIONS

This study has demonstrated even higher prevalence of both PBC-associated autoantibodies and PBC in the Japanese SSc population than in the Caucasian SSc population. AMA and anti-centromere antibodies are likely to indicate increasing risk of PBC in SSc patients.

Slowly progressive insulin-dependent diabetes in a patient with primary biliary cirrhosis with portal hypertension-type progression

A 73-year-old woman had previously been diagnosed with CREST syndrome, PBC and diabetes. Hepatic fibrosis was not evident, in spite of the transudative ascites and active esophageal varices. ACA were positive, whereas AMA and anti-gp210 antibodies were negative. She showed low urinary excretion of C-peptide and was weakly positive for anti-GAD antibody. She was diagnosed with a form of PBC that progresses via portal hypertension rather than liver failure and with SPIDDM. Her HLA type did not contain risk allele for IDDM or PBC. SPIDDM should be considered when patients with PBC with portal hypertension-type progression develop diabetes.

Frequency of disease-associated and other nuclear autoantibodies in patients of the German Network for Systemic Scleroderma: correlation with characteristic clinical features

Introduction

In the present study, we analysed in detail nuclear autoantibodies and their associations in systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients included in the German Network for Systemic Scleroderma Registry.

Methods

Sera of 863 patients were analysed according to a standardised protocol including immunofluorescence, immunoprecipitation, line immunoassay and immunodiffusion.

Results

Antinuclear antibodies (ANA) were detected in 94.2% of patients. In 81.6%, at least one of the autoantibodies highly associated with SSc or with overlap syndromes with scleroderma features was detected, that is, anti-centromere (35.9%) or anti-topoisomerase I (30.1%), followed in markedly lower frequency by antibodies to PM-Scl (4.9%), U1-ribonucleoprotein (U1-RNP) (4.8%), RNA polymerases (RNAPs) (3.8%), fibrillarin (1.4%), Ku (1.2%), aminoacyl-transfer RNA synthetases (0.5%), To (0.2%) and U11-RNP (0.1%). We found that the simultaneous presence of SSc-associated autoantibodies was rare (1.6%). Furthermore, additional autoantibodies were detected in 55.4% of the patients with SSc, of which anti-Ro/anti-La, anti-mitochondrial and anti-p25/p23 antibodies were most frequent. The coexistence of SSc-associated and other autoantibodies was common (43% of patients). SSc-associated autoantibodies disclosed characteristic associations with clinical features of patients, some of which were previously not acknowledged.

Conclusions

This study shows that five autoantigens (that is, centromere, topoisomerase I, PM-Scl, U1-RNP and RNAP) detected more than 95% of the known SSc-associated antibody responses in ANA-positive SSc patients and characterise around 79% of all SSc patients in a central European cohort. These data confirm and extend previous data underlining the central role of the determination of ANAs in defining the diagnosis, subset allocation and prognosis of SSc patients.

Liver involvement in subjects with rheumatic disease

The liver is often overlooked as a target organ, with pathology either secondary to an underlying disease or due to the toxicity of therapies and the medical complications of extrahepatic diseases. It is thus important for the clinical rheumatologist to be aware of the diagnostic procedure to monitor liver injury. Indeed, systemic rheumatologic diseases may be associated with liver abnormalities secondary to the presence of a coexisting autoimmune liver disease (particularly primary biliary cirrhosis or autoimmune hepatitis), the direct involvement of the liver parenchyma, or the impact of medical treatments (particularly methotrexate) on the liver. In addition, the rheumatologist should be aware of the impact of immunosuppressive agents on underlying viral infections, particularly viral hepatitis. We review herein the data on the role of the liver in the clinical management of systemic rheumatic diseases.

Antimitochondrial antibodies and other antibodies in primary biliary cirrhosis: diagnostic and prognostic value

Antimitochondrial antibodies (AMA) are the serologic cornerstone in the diagnosis of primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC), even if they are not detectable in a proportion of patients, notwithstanding the most sensitive and sophisticated technologies used. To fill in the serologic gap in AMA-negative PBC, there is sound evidence to consider antinuclear antibody (ANA) patterns, such as anti-multiple nuclear dots and anti-membranous/rim-like, as PBC-specific surrogate hallmarks of the disease, and their detection can be considered virtually diagnostic. Furthermore, particular ANA specificities, such as anti-gp210, anti-p62, anticentromere antibodies, and anti-dsDNA, may provide additional diagnostic and prognostic information.

Labordiagnostik bei systemischer Sklerose

For systemic sclerosis, laboratory tests can play a supplementary role to clinical investigations, imaging techniques and functional tests. Typical autoantibodies support early diagnosis and help in assigning patients to subgroups of the disease; negative results for antinuclear antibodies suggest exclusion of the diagnosis. To detect organ involvement and comorbidity, the laboratory contributes by clinical chemistry, in certain cases by histopathological findings and by the cytological assessment of broncho-alveolar lavage fluid. Inflammatory parameters are of minor importance. Multiple autoantibody determinations in the course of the disease are not yet helpful. Numerous additional laboratory parameters are of value for investigating pathogenesis, but have not yet been generally introduced into the routine diagnostics of systemic sclerosis.

Scleroderma renal crisis in a patient with anticentromere antibody-positive limited cutaneous systemic sclerosis

We have encountered a 68-year-old Japanese woman with limited cutaneous systemic sclerosis who developed de novo onset of accelerated hypertension and renal dysfunction; thus we diagnosed scleroderma renal crisis. Anticentromere antibody alone was identified, and not anti-DNA topoisomerase I antibody, anti-RNA polymerase antibodies, anti-Th/To antibodies, or antiribonucleoprotein antibodies, even with use of immunoprecipitation assay. She was successfully treated with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor. This case, scleroderma renal crisis with detection of anticentromere antibody, is thought to be extremely uncommon.

Systemic sclerosis-associated Sjögren's syndrome and relationship to the limited cutaneous subtype: results of a prospective study of sicca syndrome in 133 consecutive patients

OBJECTIVE

To determine the prevalence of sicca symptoms and Sjögren's syndrome (SS) in a 2-center prospective series of patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc), using the American-European Consensus Group criteria for SS.

METHODS

Consecutive SSc patients hospitalized for followup care were evaluated for sicca symptoms. When the initial clinical evaluation yielded positive findings, a labial salivary gland biopsy was performed; histologic analysis evaluated focal lymphocytic sialadenitis and/or glandular fibrosis. Computed tomography and respiratory function tests were used to assess pulmonary fibrosis.

RESULTS

We included 133 SSc patients (mean +/- SD age 55 +/- 13 years; mean +/- SD disease duration 6.5 +/- 6 years). Eighty-one patients had limited cutaneous SSc (lcSSc). Ninety-one patients (68%) had sicca syndrome. Histologic analysis revealed fibrotic involvement in 50 of these 91 patients, but labial salivary gland fibrosis was not associated with any organ involvement we evaluated. Nineteen of the 133 patients (14%) had SS. In this subgroup, lcSSc was present at a significantly higher frequency (18 of 19 patients) than in the remaining patients with sicca syndrome (39 of 72 patients) and the patients without sicca syndrome (24 of 42 patients). This subgroup also had a significantly higher frequency of anticentromere antibodies (18 of 19 patients) than did the remaining patients with sicca syndrome (19 of 72 patients) and the patients without sicca syndrome (5 of 42 patients). In addition, this subgroup had a significantly lower prevalence of pulmonary fibrosis (2 of 19 patients) than did the remaining patients with sicca syndrome (29 of 72 patients) and the patients without sicca syndrome (19 of 42 patients).

CONCLUSION

There was a 68% prevalence of sicca syndrome in this prospective series of SSc patients. Sicca syndrome was related primarily to glandular fibrosis, the hallmark of SSc. The prevalence of secondary SS, as defined by the American-European Consensus Group criteria, was 14% and was markedly associated with lcSSc. We believe that lcSSc should be regarded as a specific autoimmune subgroup of SSc.

Intérêt des anticorps antinucléaires pour le diagnostic, la classification et le pronostic de la sclérodermie systémique

PURPOSE

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) like other connective tissue diseases is characterized by the occurrence of antinuclear auto-antibodies (ANA). We reviewed the diagnostic value and prognostic value of ANA in SSc.

CURRENT KNOWLEDGE AND KEY POINTS

LeRoy proposed new criteria of limited forms of SSc which take into account the immunological profile of the patients. Anticentromere, antitopoisomerase I, antifibrillarin, anti-PM-Scl, antifibrillin or anti-RNA-polymerase I or III are considered as specific anti-autobodies. Whereas anticentromere antibodies are more associated with limited SSc and antitopoisomerase I with diffuse SSc, other auto-antibodies were associated with other organ involvement : anti-RNA-polymerase I or III and renal crisis, anti-U1-RNP and pulmonary hypertension and pulmonary fibrosis, etc. Patient with persistent antitopoisomerase I antibodies have a poor survival, those with antitopoisomerase antibodies that disappear with time have a better prognosis.

FUTURE PROSPECTS AND PROJECTS

A better identification of the patients with SSc, an individual biological profile and organ involvement may help better management of the disease and better access to clinical trials. The development of new immunological tests and their clinical application should help us in that way.

New insights into the pathogenesis of systemic sclerosis

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a connective tissue disorder characterized by vascular abnormalities and excessive collagen synthesis. Extracellular matrix overproduction by fibroblasts results from abnormal interactions among endothelial cells, mononuclear cells (lymphocytes and monocytes) and fibroblasts, in a setting of vascular hyperreactivity and tissue hypoxia. Many autoantibodies have been identified in the sera of SSc patients; some of them are specific to the disease, such as anti-centromere antibodies in limited SSc, anti-topoisomerase 1 and anti-RNA polymerase I/III antibodies in diffuse SSc. Their pathogenetic role(s) remains uncertain. However, genetic, environmental and possibly alloreactive factors might also contribute to disease susceptibility.

Fatal scleroderma renal crisis caused by gastrointestinal bleeding in a patient with scleroderma, Sjögren's syndrome and primary biliary cirrhosis overlap

A 57-year-old female patient presented with a long history of overlapping autoimmune disease, including limited cutaneous systemic sclerosis, Sjögren's syndrome and primary biliary cirrhosis. Another unusual finding was that the mild skin involvement (limited cutaneous systemic sclerosis, subcutaneous calcinosis) was combined with serious internal organ involvement, including honeycombing and finally scleroderma renal crisis. The most important finding was, that two decades later she developed severe telangiectasia of the gastrointestinal and urinary tract. Furthermore, a specific type of vascular malformation, i.e. gastric watermelon stomach was also found. The chronic gastrointestinal bleeding primarily derived from a watermelon stomach caused protein overload, which provoked the onset of the scleroderma renal crisis that finally led to the patient's death.

Autoantibodies and overlap syndromes in autoimmune rheumatic disease

Many patients diagnosed with autoimmune rheumatic disease cannot be categorised easily into one of the established clinical entities such as systemic lupus erythematosus, dermatomyositis, or systemic sclerosis. The term "overlap syndrome" has been increasingly used to identify such patients and is useful in terms of clarifying prognosis and facilitating disease management. This article reviews overlap syndrome in autoimmune rheumatic disease, with particular emphasis on the associated serological markers.