Abstract
Background: Skin ulcers are common vascular complications of systemic sclerosis (SSc). Objective: The aim of the study was to identify clinical, biologic, and imaging parameters that constitute risk factors for the occurrence and persistence of skin ulcers. Methods: One hundred thirty Italian SSc patients were examined at entry and after 20 months of follow-up. Results: The diffuse SSc phenotype with avascular areas on capillaroscopy, thrombophilia, and systemic inflammation as defined by interleukin 6 plasma levels, represented the major risk factors for ulcer development. Infection was associated with a risk of poor or no healing, and cardiopulmonary involvement was a major comorbid factor in patients with ulcers. The presence of infection and avascular areas represented the main determinants for ulcer healing. Limitations: Our data should be confirmed with a longer follow-up period since skin ulcers represent a frequent vascular complication in scleroderma patients. Conclusion: Aggressive therapies aiming at improving angiogenesis and controlling infection and the course of the disease appear to be crucial to obtain ulcer healing.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 426-435 |
| Number of pages | 10 |
| Journal | Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology |
| Volume | 60 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Mar 2009 |
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ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Dermatology
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Skin ulcers in systemic sclerosis : Determinants of presence and predictive factors of healing. / Alivernini, Stefano; De Santis, Maria; Tolusso, Barbara; Mannocci, Alice; Bosello, Silvia Laura; Peluso, Giusy; Pinnelli, Michela; D'Antona, Graziella; LaTorre, Giuseppe; Ferraccioli, Gianfranco.
In: Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, Vol. 60, No. 3, 03.2009, p. 426-435.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Skin ulcers in systemic sclerosis
T2 - Determinants of presence and predictive factors of healing
AU - Alivernini, Stefano
AU - De Santis, Maria
AU - Tolusso, Barbara
AU - Mannocci, Alice
AU - Bosello, Silvia Laura
AU - Peluso, Giusy
AU - Pinnelli, Michela
AU - D'Antona, Graziella
AU - LaTorre, Giuseppe
AU - Ferraccioli, Gianfranco
PY - 2009/3
Y1 - 2009/3
N2 - Background: Skin ulcers are common vascular complications of systemic sclerosis (SSc). Objective: The aim of the study was to identify clinical, biologic, and imaging parameters that constitute risk factors for the occurrence and persistence of skin ulcers. Methods: One hundred thirty Italian SSc patients were examined at entry and after 20 months of follow-up. Results: The diffuse SSc phenotype with avascular areas on capillaroscopy, thrombophilia, and systemic inflammation as defined by interleukin 6 plasma levels, represented the major risk factors for ulcer development. Infection was associated with a risk of poor or no healing, and cardiopulmonary involvement was a major comorbid factor in patients with ulcers. The presence of infection and avascular areas represented the main determinants for ulcer healing. Limitations: Our data should be confirmed with a longer follow-up period since skin ulcers represent a frequent vascular complication in scleroderma patients. Conclusion: Aggressive therapies aiming at improving angiogenesis and controlling infection and the course of the disease appear to be crucial to obtain ulcer healing.
AB - Background: Skin ulcers are common vascular complications of systemic sclerosis (SSc). Objective: The aim of the study was to identify clinical, biologic, and imaging parameters that constitute risk factors for the occurrence and persistence of skin ulcers. Methods: One hundred thirty Italian SSc patients were examined at entry and after 20 months of follow-up. Results: The diffuse SSc phenotype with avascular areas on capillaroscopy, thrombophilia, and systemic inflammation as defined by interleukin 6 plasma levels, represented the major risk factors for ulcer development. Infection was associated with a risk of poor or no healing, and cardiopulmonary involvement was a major comorbid factor in patients with ulcers. The presence of infection and avascular areas represented the main determinants for ulcer healing. Limitations: Our data should be confirmed with a longer follow-up period since skin ulcers represent a frequent vascular complication in scleroderma patients. Conclusion: Aggressive therapies aiming at improving angiogenesis and controlling infection and the course of the disease appear to be crucial to obtain ulcer healing.
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U2 - 10.1016/j.jaad.2008.11.025
DO - 10.1016/j.jaad.2008.11.025
M3 - Article
VL - 60
SP - 426
EP - 435
JO - Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology
JF - Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology
SN - 0190-9622
IS - 3
ER -