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.