Heart involvement in systemic sclerosis: an ultrasonic tissue characterisation study
Article Abstract:
Echocardiography may detect hidden heart muscle and circulatory changes in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) before symptoms of heart disease develop. SSc is an autoimmune connective tissue disorder. Researchers performed echocardiographic myocardial texture analysis on 35 patients with SSc and 25 healthy volunteers. SSc patients had significantly lower heart muscle function, and 88% of SSc patients had heart rhythm changes indicating possible myocardial scarring. Ultrasonic examination may be a useful, noninvasive screening tool for SSc patients.
Publication Name: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0003-4967
Year: 1998
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Antigen specificity of antihistone antibodies in systemic sclerosis
Article Abstract:
Antibodies to histones may be more common in the blood of patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). SSc, or systemic scleroderma, is an autoimmune connective tissue disease. Researchers compared 42 patients with limited SSc of the skin, 28 patients with diffuse cutaneous SSc, and other volunteers. Levels of immunoglobulin (Ig) G antibodies to histones were higher in SSc patients. Histone IgM antibody levels were higher in patients with limited cutaneous SSc than in those with diffuse disease.
Publication Name: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0003-4967
Year: 1998
User Contributions:
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