Figure 2

Kaplan-Meier analysis shows three different curves for each patient group with the designated autoantibody subset. Events (defined as diagnosis of cancer) correspond to step-downs, and censored observations (defined as most recent follow-up visit) are identified by tick marks. The plot shows a significant difference (P < 0.0001) between the number and timing of events between anti-RNA polymerase III (anti-RNAP)–positive patients and anticentromere antibody (ACA)– or Scl-70-positive patients. The dotted vertical line (designated as time 0) represents the clinical onset of systemic sclerosis (SSc). Within the 36-month period prior to the onset of SSc, 13 patients with the anti-RNAP antibody, compared with only 2 patients with ACA, were diagnosed with cancer. Number at risk, number and percentage loss to follow-up are represented for the intervals between SSc onset and the 20- and 40-year periods.