Clinical and serological parameters of progression and prognosis in patients with systemic sclerosis - a state of the art review

Abstract

Objective: Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a multi-organ connective tissue disease that leads to the dysfunction and the impaired morphology of blood vessels due to non-specific inflammation and progressive fibrosis. Due to the diversity of SSc and even though the factors predisposing to the severe course of SSc are known, it is not always possible to predict the disease progression and to determine the prognosis. Ideally, the group of patients with faster progression of organ lesions and a worse course of the disease should be identified and the early intensive treatment should be instituted. The aim of the article, is an attempt to identify the factors that worsen the prognosis in the course of SSc. The analysis of numerous studies demonstrated that patients with short-lasting SSc, with the presence of anti-RNA polymerase III antibodies, with a generalized type of SSc with quickly progressing skin lesions and males should be most strictly monitored. Moreover, vascular complications, tendon ruptures and fast capillaries loss observed in nailfold capillaroscopy are the factors deteriorating the prognosis in SSc.

Conclusion: In conclusion, despite the known, the factors that worsen the prognosis, it is difficult to predict the course of systemic sclerosis. Due to its incompletely elucidated etiopathology as well as the diverse and unpredictable nature of the disease, reliable markers to determine the prognosis in SSc have not been found.

Keywords: a course of the disease; poor prognostic factors; systemic sclerosis.