Anticentromere antibody as a predictor of digital ischemic loss in patients with systemic sclerosis.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the clinical and serologic risk factors for digital ischemic events in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc).


METHODS
Retrospective review of clinical and laboratory data and review of current clinical status of 98 patients with SSc, seen between 1985 and 1990.


RESULTS
Amputation of 1 or more digits due to ischemia occurred in 20.4% of the patients; 9.2% had multiple digit loss. Sclerodactyly alone and anticentromere antibody (ACA) were associated with loss of 1 or more digits. Age, smoking status, duration of disease, or duration of Raynaud's phenomenon were not predictive for loss of digits.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients with limited SSc who are positive for ACA have an increased risk of major peripheral vascular occlusive disease.
Wigley
F M
FM
Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Francis Scott Key Medical Center, Baltimore, MD.
Wise
R A
RA
Miller
R
R
Needleman
B W
BW
Spence
R J
RJ
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000906:Antibodies / Q000032:analysis*; D002503:Centromere / Q000276:immunology*; D005385:Fingers / Q000098:blood supply*; D006801:Humans; D007511:Ischemia / Q000150:complications*; D008875:Middle Aged; D015233:Models, Statistical; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D012595:Scleroderma, Systemic / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology*; D012907:Smoking
D000906:Antibodies