Erosive arthropathy in systemic sclerosis

Abstract

Background: To determine radiological features of arthropathy in systemic sclerosis patients with polyarthritis.

Results: Forty one women and 5 men were included in this study. The mean age was 41 + 14,2 years, the mean duration of disease was 10,5+ 6,5 years. Thirty seven patients (80%) had radiological abnormalities including joint space narrowing (37%) and erosions (43%). At presentation, the prevalence of radiological foot abnormalities was lower than that of hands (26% vs 79%, p < 0,001). There was no significant difference between patients with (n = 24) and without erosive arthropathy (Joint space narrowing and/or erosion) (n = 22) in terms of cutaneous subtype, organ involvement, calcinosis presence of rheumatoid factor, ANA, Anti-topoisomerase antibodies.

Conclusion: This study showed an high frequency of erosive arthropathy in our Morroccan SSc patients with clinical synovitis.

Figure 1

X-ray of hands showing. - Erosion of the fourth and the fifth proximal inter phalangeal joint on the left hand. - Terminal phalangeal tuft resorption (arrow).

Figure 2

X-ray of hand showing: a small and discrete lesion in the fourth metacarpo-phalangeal joint similar to early rheumatoïd arthritis.

Figure 3

X-ray of hands showing a joint space narrowing in the proximal inter phalangeal joint similar to erosive osteoarthritis.

Figure 4

X-ray of a left foot. Erosive lesion in the first metatarso-phalangeal joint, and subluxation and erosion of the second proximal inter phalangeal joint similar to psoriatic arthritis.