Chanyuan Wu1, Qian Wang1, Dong Xu1, Mengtao Li1, Yong Hou1, Xiaofeng Zeng2. 1. Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100032, China. 2. Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100032, China. Email: zengxiaofeng@medmail.com.cn.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To explore the prevalence and independent influencing factors of arthritis in Chinese patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). METHODS: A total of 248 SSc patients were enrolled in this prospective cross-sectional study in Peking Union Medical College Hospital. Demographic, clinical and laboratory data were compared in arthritis group and non-arthritis group. RESULTS: Of 248 Chinese SSc patients, mean age of onset was (37.1 ± 13.7) years old and disease duration was (7.4 ± 5.2) years. Overall prevalence of arthritis was 41.1% (102/248). The presence of arthralgia(95.1% vs 15.1%), muscle weakness (38.2% vs 24.7%), short of breath (60.8% vs 45.2%), and intestinal lung disease (64.7% vs 49.3%) occurred more frequently in patients with arthritis than those without arthritis (P < 0.05). The elevation of C reactive protein, anti-Sm and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide were more common in arthritis group than in non-arthritis group (61.4% vs 43.9%, 11.4% vs 2.5% and 28.1% vs 2/16, respectively). There were no obvious differences in the Rodnan score, digital ulcers, pulmonary arterial hypertension, and six-minute walk test between two groups (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: This study reveals the significant prevalence of arthritis in a large cohort of SSc patients in China. Compared to non-arthritis patients, the SSc patients with arthritis have a more severe inflammation reaction and a higher rate of intestinal lung disease.
OBJECTIVE: To explore the prevalence and independent influencing factors of arthritis in Chinese patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). METHODS: A total of 248 SSc patients were enrolled in this prospective cross-sectional study in Peking Union Medical College Hospital. Demographic, clinical and laboratory data were compared in arthritis group and non-arthritis group. RESULTS: Of 248 Chinese SSc patients, mean age of onset was (37.1 ± 13.7) years old and disease duration was (7.4 ± 5.2) years. Overall prevalence of arthritis was 41.1% (102/248). The presence of arthralgia(95.1% vs 15.1%), muscle weakness (38.2% vs 24.7%), short of breath (60.8% vs 45.2%), and intestinal lung disease (64.7% vs 49.3%) occurred more frequently in patients with arthritis than those without arthritis (P < 0.05). The elevation of C reactive protein, anti-Sm and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide were more common in arthritis group than in non-arthritis group (61.4% vs 43.9%, 11.4% vs 2.5% and 28.1% vs 2/16, respectively). There were no obvious differences in the Rodnan score, digital ulcers, pulmonary arterial hypertension, and six-minute walk test between two groups (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: This study reveals the significant prevalence of arthritis in a large cohort of SSc patients in China. Compared to non-arthritispatients, the SSc patients with arthritis have a more severe inflammation reaction and a higher rate of intestinal lung disease.