Clinical Characteristics of Pruritus in Systemic Sclerosis Vary According to the Autoimmune Subtype

Acta Derm Venereol. 2018 Aug 29;98(8):735-741. doi: 10.2340/00015555-2980.

Abstract

Pruritus is a frequent symptom in systemic sclerosis (SSc), with a prevalence of 40-65%, but its pathophysiology is poorly understood. This study investigated the immunological component of pruritus. Fifty-six patients with SSc responded to a standardized questionnaire regarding both SSc disease and pruritus characteristics. Among patients with SSc, those with pruritus did not display a particular immunological profile (inflammatory, humoral, and/or cellular factors), but pruritus was, in most cases, concomitant with the development of SSc. Thus, pruritus characteristics were evaluated further, according to the detection of anti-centromere autoantibodies (ACA), into ACA+ (n = 17) and ACA- (n = 19). The ACA+ subgroup was characterized by a longer evolution of SSc and pruritus, pruritus present outside the sclerotic area, and a shorter daily duration of pruritus. In conclusion, the concomitant appearance of the 2 processes and the differences observed between ACA+ and ACA- subgroups support the presence of an immunological component in pruritus.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Antibodies, Antinuclear / blood*
  • Autoimmunity*
  • Biomarkers / blood
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Pruritus / diagnosis
  • Pruritus / immunology*
  • Registries
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Scleroderma, Systemic / complications
  • Scleroderma, Systemic / diagnosis
  • Scleroderma, Systemic / immunology*
  • Serologic Tests
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Antibodies, Antinuclear
  • Biomarkers
  • anticentromere antibody