title: The clinical significance of coagulation abnormalities in systemic sclerosis (scleroderma).
abstract: A coagulation screen and measurement of circulating factor VIII related antigen (VIII-RAg), factor VIII coagulant activity (VIII-C) and beta-thromboglobulin (beta TG) levels were carried out in 25 patients with systemic sclerosis and 25 age and sex matched controls. Both VIII-RAg and beta TG levels were significantly higher in the systemic sclerosis patients than controls. Fibrin degradation products were increased in 11 (44%) of the patients. There was a significant correlation between the VIII RAg/VIII-C ratio and severity of the vascular abnormalities noted on nailfold capillary microscopy. Those with VIII-RAg levels in excess of 200% of controls (10 of 25) had more severe disease with greater mean number of organ systems involved.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: C S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Norman
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sukenik
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Alderdice
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000941:Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D001778:Blood Coagulation Disorders / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications*; D005169:Factor VIII / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D005338:Fibrin Fibrinogen Degradation Products / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010974:Platelet Aggregation; D012595:Scleroderma, Systemic / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications* / Q000209:etiology; D001620:beta-Thromboglobulin / Q000378:metabolism; D014841:von Willebrand Factor
chemical_list: D000941:Antigens; D005338:Fibrin Fibrinogen Degradation Products; D001620:beta-Thromboglobulin; D014841:von Willebrand Factor; D005169:Factor VIII