Correlation study between clinical phenotypes and autoantibodies in systemic sclerosis in Southwest China

This study investigates the characteristics of baseline data and the correlation between autoantibodies and clinical phenotypes in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) from Southwest China. A total of 346 patients diagnosed with SSc between 2021 and 2023 were included. Clinical data and laboratory data were collected to analyze the relationship between autoantibodies and clinical phenotypes. The prevalence of hypertension and osteoporosis in female patients with SSc was significantly higher than that in male patients. Anti-Scl-70 antibody was positively correlated with Raynaud phenomenon, facial or acral swelling and interstitial lung disease. Anti-Ro52 antibody is positively correlated with pulmonary hypertension. Anti-Scl-70, anti-U1-nrNP, anti-SSA, and anti-Ro52 were associated with overlap syndrome of SSc and systemic lupus erythematosus. Anti-SSA and anti-Ro52 are associated with overlap syndrome of SSc and Sjogren syndrome. Anti-Scl-70 was found to be statistically different in platelet count (PLT), C3, C4, albumin, and C-reactive protein, as was anti-U1-nRNP in hemoglobin, immunoglobulin G, C3, total triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein and low-density lipoprotein, as was anti-SSA in hemoglobin, immunoglobulin G and erythrocyte sedimentation rate, as was anti-ro52 in white blood cell count (WBC) and IgG, and anti-CENP B in PLT. Our study showed that autoantibodies anti-Scl-70 and anti-Ro52 in SSc patients were associated with the clinical phenotypes of Raynaud phenomenon, facial or acral swelling, interstitial lung disease and pulmonary hypertension.