Abstract Number: 1797 • 2014 ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting
One-Year Survival of Adults with Systemic Sclerosis Following Lung Transplantation: A Nationwide Cohort Study
Background/Purpose: Lung transplantation is a potentially life-saving treatment for patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) who have developed end-stage lung disease due to interstitial lung disease…Abstract Number: 1721 • 2014 ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting
Investigating the SCF/c-Kit Pathway in Scleroderma Fibrosis
Background/Purpose: Stem cell factor (SCF) is a potential driving factor in the development of systemic sclerosis (SSc) and a possible therapeutic target. SCF is a…Abstract Number: 874 • 2014 ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting
Safety and Efficacy of Subcutaneous Tocilizumab in Adults with Systemic Sclerosis: Week 24 Data from a Phase 2/3 Trial
Background/Purpose: Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a progressive, debilitating disease with limited treatment options. IL-6 has been implicated in disease pathogenesis.1,2 IL-6 receptor inhibition prevented and…Abstract Number: 742 • 2014 ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting
Precision of Ultrasound Skin Thickness Measurements: Influence of Examiner and Ultrasound Transducer
Background/Purpose Ultrasound has been used to measure scleroderma skin thickness, but it has not been established that routine clinical ultrasound equipment is adequate. We compared skin…Abstract Number: 746 • 2014 ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting
Elevated Pentraxin 3 in Patients with Systemic Sclerosis: Associations with Vascular Manifestations and Defective Vasculogenesis
Background/Purpose: Pentraxin 3 (PTX3) is a multi-functional pattern recognition protein involved in inflammation, extracellular matrix deposition, and suppression of neovascularization mediated by fibroblast growth factor-2…Abstract Number: 734 • 2014 ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting
Lower Socioeconomic Status, Male Gender and Diffuse Scleroderma Are Associated with Worse Survival in the Pulmonary Hypertension Assessment and Recognition of Outcomes in Scleroderma Cohort
Background/Purpose Lower socioeconomic status (SES) and male gender have been associated with worse survival in idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Pulmonary Hypertension Assessment and Recognition…Abstract Number: 722 • 2014 ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting
Prediction of Improvement in Skin Fibrosis in Diffuse Cutaneous Systemic Sclerosis
Background/Purpose Improvement of skin fibrosis over time is part of the “natural history” of patients with diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis (dcSSc). However, in the individual…Abstract Number: 2919 • 2013 ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting
The Clinical Utility Of Flow-Mediated Dilation In Systemic Sclerosis
Background/Purpose: In systemic sclerosis (SSc, scleroderma) vasculopathy can result in the end-stage manifestation of a digital ulcer (DU). We hypothesized that bedside flow mediated dilatation…Abstract Number: 682 • 2013 ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting
Effects Of Extracoporeal Shock Wave Therapy To The Digital Ulcers Of Scleroderma:a Pilot Study
Background/Purpose: Vasculopathy, immunological abnormalities and excessive tissue fibrosis are key elements in the pathogenesis of Scleroderma (SSc). In winter, patients often display Raynaud syndrome, which…Abstract Number: 647 • 2013 ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting
Enhanced Expression of CCR Receptors in Healthy AA and SSc ILD Monocytes
Background/Purpose: Scleroderma-associated Interstitial Lung Disease (SSc ILD) is more prevalent and more severe in African Americans (AA) than in Caucasian (C) patients, but little is…Abstract Number: 662 • 2013 ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting
Oxidative Stress-Dependent Activation Of Collagen Synthesis Is Induced In Human Pulmonary Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells By Scleroderma Sera and Predicts Pulmonary Vascular Disease
Background/Purpose: Vascular disease is a dominant component of Systemic Sclerosis (SSc) pathogenesis. Hypoxia and oxidative stress have been linked to endothelial injury, intimal hyperplasia and…Abstract Number: 709 • 2012 ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting
Fingertip Skin Hardness in Limited Scleroderma: Durometry versus Manual Assessment
Background/Purpose: Skin manifestations of scleroderma involve the digits in nearly all patients. Assessment of change at the level of digital skin involvement is difficult. The Modified…Abstract Number: L14 • 2012 ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting
Treatment of Diffuse Systemic Sclerosis Patients with Anti-Transforming Growth Factor-Beta, Fresolimumab, Inhibits Transforming Growth Factor-Beta-Regulated Gene Expression in Skin and Is Associated with a Rapid Decline in Skin Score
Background/Purpose: Transforming growth factor-beta (TGFb) has long been suspected to mediate fibrotic signals in systemic sclerosis (SSc) as it potently stimulates collagen deposition in vitro,…Abstract Number: 2625 • 2012 ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting
The Impact of Sexual Difficulties in Women with Scleroderma and Interpersonal Relationships
Background/Purpose: Sexual problems are common in women with systemic sclerosis (SSc). SSc is a complicated condition linked to a number of complications including sexual dysfunction.…Abstract Number: 2424 • 2012 ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting
Sleep Disturbances in Systemic Sclerosis: Evidence for the Role of Gastrointestinal Symptoms, Pain, and Pruritus
Background/Purpose: Systemic Sclerosis (SSc) is an autoimmune connective tissue disorder characterized by thickening and fibrosis of the skin and internal organs. There is significant mortality…