M A, F G, H Z, M A, S S, AR R, et al . The Correlation between endothelin-1 antibody plasma concentrations in patients with scleroderma and different manifestations of the disease. Tehran Univ Med J 2011; 68 (12) :699-704
URL:
http://tumj.tums.ac.ir/article-1-280-en.html
1- , Mahdieh.shojaa_mw@yahoo.com
Abstract: (13075 Views)
Background: Systemic scleroderma (SSc) is a generalized
connective tissue disorder of unknown origin which most notably is
characterized by skin thickening and organ damage. Endothelin-1
(ET-1) antibody plays a role in skin fibrosis. The
aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and correlation of different
manifestations of SSc with ET-1
plasma levels.
Methods: This cross-sectional analytical study was conducted on 95
patients (91 women and four men)
with scleroderma in 2006. The patients had
been referred to the Rheumatology Clinic of Shariati Hospital in Tehran, Iran.
The demographic data and signs and symptoms were entered in a questionnaire and
endothelin-1 concentrations were measured.
Results: The mean age of the patients was 38±12.29 years.
Diffuse cutaneous SSc (dcSSc)
was diagnosed in 52 and limited cutaneous
SSc (lcSSc)
in 43 patients. Raynaud's phenomenon (91%)
was the most common manifestation in the patients. The relationship between the
resorption of terminal phalanges due to fibrosis with the plasma concentration
of Endothelin-1 was statistically significant (p=0.001).
Pitting ulcers had significant relationships with endothelin-1 concentrations
too (p<0.05). No other significant relationships
were found between the other manifestation of the disease and Endothelin-1
concentration.
Conclusion: In
this study, Reynaud's phenomenon was the most frequent sign in patients with
scleroderma. Thus, it could serve as a tool for the diagnosis of scleroderma.
As there were no significant relationships between the other manifestations of
scleroderma with endothelin-1, a cohort study with a
larger sample size is suggested.