Treatment of Digital Ulcers in Korean Patients With Systemic Sclerosis: a Prospective Cohort Study

Launched by SEOUL NATIONAL UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL · Dec 29, 2015

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a chronic autoimmune disease of unknown etiology with high morbidity and mortality. SSc manifests by fibrosis of skin and internal organs. Although the underlying mechanisms are still subject to investigation, endothelial dysfunction and abnormal immune response are thought to contribute to vascular dysfunction and fibrosis in SSc.

A hallmark feature of SSc is the presence of Raynaud phenomenon (RP) that is caused by reversible vasoconstriction of digital arteries triggered by exposure to cold or emotional stress. In up to 33-43% of SSc patients, the ischemia ca...

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Age of 18 years or older
• • SSc diagnosis according to 1980 or 2013 ACR classification criteria
• • 1 or more active DU
• • Patients who start or change medical treatment for DU
• • Patients who are willing to participate
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Pregnancy or active breast feeding
• • Patients with life expectancy \< 6 months