Anti-Polymyositis/Scl Antibodies in Systemic Sclerosis: Clinical Associations in a Multicentric Spanish Cohort and Review of the Literature

Abstract

Objectives: To assess the clinical profile of patients with anti-polymyositis/Scl (PM/Scl) antibodies in a cohort of Spanish patients with systemic sclerosis.

Methods: From the Spanish Scleroderma Study Group database, we selected patients in whom PM/Scl antibodies had been tested. We compared demographic, clinical, laboratory, and survival data between patients with and without PM/Scl antibodies.

Results: Seventy-two of 947 patients (7.6%) tested positive for PM/Scl antibodies. Patients with PM/Scl antibodies presented initially with more puffy fingers and arthralgias but less Raynaud phenomenon. Regarding cumulative manifestations, myositis and arthritis were more prevalent in patients with PM/Scl antibodies, as well as pulmonary fibrosis. On the contrary, patients with PM/Scl antibodies had less pulmonary hypertension. No difference in terms of survival at 5 and 10 years was noticed between the 2 groups.

Conclusions: In systemic sclerosis patients from Spain, PM/Scl antibodies are associated with a distinct clinical profile. However, PM/Scl antibodies did not influence survival.