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. Conclusion. Patients with limited SSc who are positive for ACA have an increased risk of major peripheral vascular occlusive disease.