Table 1 Characteristics of systemic sclerosis patients (n = 40)
Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
Cutaneous form of the disease: limited / diffuse | 23 (57) / 17 (43) |
Digital pitting scars | 6 (15) |
Pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP) | |
mmHg [mean ± SD (range)] | 33 ± 6 (21–48) |
>40 mmHg | 6 (15) |
Pulmonary fibrosis (computed tomography scan) | 16 (40) |
Forced vital capacity below 75% of normal values | 9 (23) |
Decreased carbon monoxide diffusing capacity (DLCO/Hb <75%) | 16 (40) |
Left ventricular ejection fraction (%) (mean ± SD%) | 62 ± 8 |
Antinuclear antibodies ≥1/160 | 38 (92) |
Anti-topoisomerase I antibodies/anti-centromere antibodies | 12/7 |
Creatininaemia (μmol) (mean ± SD) | 79 ± 13 |
Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (mm/1st hour) (mean ± SD) | 21 ± 18 |
C-reactive protein (mg/l) (mean ± SD) | 11 ± 16 |
Ongoing low-dose prednisone (no. patients) (mean mg/day ± SD) | 14 (7.4 ± 2) |
Ongoing angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (no. patients) | 7 |
Ongoing low-dose aspirin therapy (no. patients) | 25 |