Unique clinical and autoantibody profile of a large Asian Indian cohort of scleroderma —do South Asians have a more aggressive disease?

ConclusionYounger age of onset and high prevalence of Scl-70 antibody are unique South Asian features common with large Indian, Thai, and Chinese series. High prevalence of ILD is a feature common to Indian and Chinese series. Strong correlation of Scl-70 antibody with younger age and pulmonary hypertension were unique features of our cohort.Key Points• Asian Indian scleroderma patients are younger by 2 decades compared to Caucasian series.• Higher prevalence of Scl-70 antibody, its association with young age, interstitial lung disease and pulmonary hypertension are features of our cohort.•High prevalence of interstitial lung disease (88.1%) was noted ; among those with baseline spirometry data (141/327), two thirds(66%) had moderate to severe restriction.•Younger age at onset, higher prevalence of Scl-70 antibody are features common to other Indian, Thai and Chinese series.
Source: Clinical Rheumatology - Category: Rheumatology Source Type: research