Early detection of scleroderma spectrum disorders in patients with Raynaud's phenomenon

Uncharted waters: rare and unclassified cardiomyopathies characterized on cardiac magnetic resonance imaging

Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) has undergone considerable technology advances in recent years, so that it is now entering into mainstream cardiac imaging practice. In particular, CMR is proving to be a valuable imaging tool in the detection, morphological assessment and functional assessment of cardiomyopathies. Although our understanding of this broad group of heart disorders continues to expand, it is an evolving group of entities, with the rarer cardiomyopathies remaining poorly understood or even unclassified. In this review, we describe the clinical and pathophysiological aspects of several of the rare/unclassified cardiomyopathies and their appearance on CMR.

A case of scleroderma spectrum disorder with anticentriole antibody and pulmonary hypertension

We describe the case of a patient with anticentriole antibody-positive scleroderma spectrum disorder (SSD) who developed pulmonary hypertension. A 54-year-old woman had noticed Raynaud's phenomenon and digital ulcers during the winter for the past 10 years. Although sclerodactyly was not present, digital ulcers, swelling of her hands, and phalangeal contracture were observed. An indirect immunofluorescence test revealed anticentriole antibody. Other SSc-specific antoantibodies were negative. An echocardiogram demonstrated that the estimated right ventricular systolic pressure was increased to 51 mmHg. She was diagnosed as SSD with pulmonary hypertension. This is the first case of SSD with anticentriole antibody to develop pulmonary hypertension.

Prevalence of scleroderma spectrum disorders in the general population of Estonia

The purpose of this study was to estimate the prevalence of scleroderma spectrum disorders (SDS) in the general population of Estonia while taking into account environmental and ethnic factors. A random sample of 14,467 subjects from the general population were surveyed by mail questionnaire to detect those with suspected Raynaud phenomenon (RP) and SDS. A subsample of 2,154 participants was then seen during the field study to confirm the RP diagnosis and to perform a short clinical examination. Of 581 subjects with RP, 13 cases (all women) were diagnosed as having SDS; based on these findings, the estimated prevalence of SDS in the adult population is 228 per 100,000 (95% CL 121; 391), while in women alone it is 354 per 100,000 (95% CL 188; 605). The best estimate of SD (systemic scleroderma), based on ACR criteria, is 35 per 100,000 (95% CL 4; 127). No significant difference in SDS prevalence was found between the two environmentally different regions we studied. Although statistically not significant, the prevalence of SDS, especially of SD and CREST syndrome, among Russians was higher than among Estonians, as we had hypothesized. The distribution of SDS subtypes also suggests an ethnic difference. The overall prevalence of SD/CREST that we found is higher than that reported in studies not based on a random sample of the general population.

Prevalence of Raynaud phenomenon in Tartu and Tartumaa, southern Estonia

The aim of the present study was to estimate the prevalence of Raynaud phenomenon (RP) among Estonians in the general population of Southern Estonia. A random sample of 2626 Estonian subjects from the general population was asked about their fingers' sensitivity to cold and color changes by a mail survey. A subsample of 457 subjects was examined to confirm the diagnosis of RP, using a standard interview assisted by color charts (a color scale and hand photographs). In addition to a short clinical examination, the nailfold capillaries were examined by in vivo microscopy and a blood sample was drawn for ANA testing. The prevalence of RP, based on the presence of blanching, alone or with cyanosis, was 8.3% +/- 0.91% (SE) for women and 7.9% +/- 1.62% for men. The prevalence increased with age and, in men, was related to occupation. Smoking was also associated with RP among men but the effect was difficult to separate from that of the occupational influences because of the high proportion (84.2%) of current and past smokers among male manual workers. RP among the Estonians in Southern Estonia has a lower prevalence than in other countries with comparable climate, its female to male ratio is low, and it is related to occupation and smoking in men.

Immunologic parameters in systemic sclerosis

BACKGROUND

Immunologic abnormalities seem to play an important role in important role in systemic sclerosis (SSc).

METHODS

We studied the following immune parameters to get more insight into SSc: autoantibodies (antinuclear antibodies (ANA), anti-Scl-70, anticentromere antibodies (ACA) subsets of lymphocyte subpopulations and markers of their activation, as well as serum levels of IL-2, the soluble IL-2 receptor (SIL-2R), IL-6 and its correlation to N-terminal procollagen-III propeptide (P III P), and finally, the IL-6 production by SSc and normal dermal fibroblasts.

RESULTS

In patients with active SSc, we found a reduced number of CD2+ T-lymphocytes and an increase in the expression of T-lymphocyte activation markers such as CD25+ and CD71+, HLA-DR Ia, as well as elevated serum levels of SIL-2LR and IL-6. SSc fibroblasts did not produce more IL-6 than normal fibroblasts in monolayer cultures.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data show that a wide range of immunologic parameters are altered in SSc. In general, T-helper (TH) lymphocytes are activated possibly because of reduced T-suppressor (TS) and natural killer (NK)-cell levels. TH may polyclonally stimulate B cells, which in turn produce higher amounts of autoantibodies. Our findings support the concept that TH cell-derived cytokines/growth factors stimulate matrix protein synthesis by fibroblasts, resulting in generalized fibrosis.

Diagnostic significance of nailfold bleeding in scleroderma spectrum disorders

BACKGROUND

The early detection of scleroderma spectrum disorders (SSD) is important.

OBJECTIVE

Our purpose was to determine the prevalence of nailfold bleeding in SSD.

METHODS

We examined patients for nailfold bleeding in the following three groups: (1) 81 patients with SSD including 50 patients with scleroderma, 10 with mixed connective tissue disease, and 21 with Raynaud's phenomenon having specific antinuclear antibody (ANA); (2) 99 patients with other connective tissue diseases or primary Raynaud's phenomenon; and (3) 200 patients with common skin diseases.

RESULTS

The frequency of nailfold bleeding was significantly higher in SSD (75.3%) than in other connective tissue diseases (12.1%) and in controls (3.0%). The presence of nailfold bleeding in two or more fingers showed a 98.3% specificity for SSD. Among the patients with SSD, the incidence of nailfold bleeding in scleroderma, mixed connective tissue disease, and Raynaud's phenomenon with specific ANA was similar. Nailfold bleeding strongly correlated with the presence of anticentromere antibody.

CONCLUSION

The presence of nailfold bleeding is useful for the early detection of SSD.

Clinical evaluation of scleroderma spectrum disorders using a points system

We have established a new diagnostic method using a points system to evaluate patients with early scleroderma and those with scleroderma spectrum disorders (SSD). To examine the clinical usefulness of this method, it was applied to a total of 215 cases including 97 patients with scleroderma, 32 with SSD, 28 with presumed primary Raynaud's phenomenon (RP) and 58 with other connective tissue disorders (CTD). A total score was obtained for each patient as the sum of the following five factors: (1) extent of skin sclerosis (maximum, 10 points); (2) pulmonary changes (maximum, 4 points); (3) antinuclear antibodies (maximum, 5 points); (4) pattern of Raynaud's phenomenon (maximum, 3 points); and (5) nailfold bleeding (maximum, 2 points). Of the 97 scleroderma patients, 86 (89%) had 9 or more points, and of the 32 SSD patients, 28 (88%) had 5 to 8 points. In contrast, all patients with presumed primary RP and 54 of 58 (93%) patients with other CTD had 0 to 4 points. These data suggest that this diagnostic method is very useful not only for clinical evaluation of SSD, but also for the differentiation of scleroderma and SSD from other CTD and primary RP.

Southwestern Internal Medicine Conference: The Many Faces of Scleroderma

This review integrates the clinical aspects of systemic sclerosis (SSc; scleroderma) and scleroderma-like conditions with new knowledge of the control of blood vessel tone and the role of anoxia in the activation of connective tissues leading to fibrosis. Serologic tests, high resolution computed tomographic scanning, bronchoalveolar lavage, and physiologic assessment of pulmonary gas diffusion are compared as diagnostic tools and as means of quantitating internal organ involvement. Treatment of Raynaud's disease and phenomenon, management of scleroderma renal crisis, and new means for improving gastrointestinal function with octreotide, the somatostatin analogue, also are discussed. The relationship between idiopathic forms of SSc and eosinophilic fasciitis/eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome caused by L-tryptophan ingestion and the scleroderma-like disease associated with silicone breast implants also is discussed.