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In patients with ANCA-associated vasculitis, interactions between neutrophils and endothelial cells cause endothelial damage and imbalance. Endothelial colony-forming cells (ECFCs) represent a cellular population of the endothelial lineage with proliferative capacity and vasoreparative properties. This study aimed to evaluate the angiogenic capacity of ECFCs of patients with granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA). The ECFCs of 13 patients with PR3-positive GPA and 14 healthy controls were isolated and characterized using fluorescence-activated cell sorting, capillary tube formation measurement, scratching assays and migration assays with and without plasma stimulation. Furthermore, three patients with active disease underwent post-treatment recollection of ECFCs for longitudinal evaluation. The ECFCs from the patients and controls showed similar capillary structure formation. However, the ECFCs from the patients with inactive GPA exhibited early losses of angiogenic capacity. Impairments in the migration capacities of the ECFCs were also observed in patients with GPA and controls (12th h, p = 0.05). Incubation of ECFCs from patients with GPA in remission with plasma from healthy controls significantly decreased migration capacity (p = 0.0001). Longitudinal analysis revealed that treatment significantly lowered ECFC migration rates. This study revealed that ECFCs from the patients with PR3-positive GPA in remission demonstrated early losses of tube formation and reduced migration capacity compared to those of the healthy controls, suggesting impairment of endothelial function.

Objectives In a longitudinal case–control observational study, we evaluated the benefits of a self-management programme for hands developed for patients with SSc. Methods Patients with SSc included in the intervention group (IG) received a concise self-management programme with emphasis on hand exercises and were evaluated during 24 weeks regarding hand pain, hand function, range of motion, grip and tip and key pinch strength. Results were compared with a control group (CG) with no intervention using an analysis of variance for repeated measures with variables transformed into ranks (P ≤ 0.05). Effect sizes were calculated using Cohen’s test. Results Of 90 patients who were evaluated, seven were excluded at enrolment and 26 were excluded during the follow-up. Data from 57 subjects (IG 40, CG 17) were used for analysis. Groups were similar at baseline, except for the Scleroderma HAQ and tip and key pinch strength. Outcome improvements were noted only in the IG (P ≤ 0.05, large effect size). In the CG, variables did not change or had even worsened (hand grip strength and finger motion). Conclusions This self-management programme based on hand exercises for SSc resulted in pain reduction and hand function, strength and range of motion improvement. It can be a simple and useful intervention, especially when a regular rehabilitation programme is not available.

COVID-19 may be associated with greater severity and mortality in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). The present study aimed to evaluate the prevalence, severity and mortality of COVID-19 in a Brazilian cohort of SSc patients.This multicenter, retrospective, observational study included 1,042 SSc patients followed in four centers of São Paulo between March 2020 and June 2021. Diagnosis of COVID-19 was established by proper positive RT-PCR testing or by highly suspicious infection. Patients were grouped into mild (outpatient setting treatment and no need for oxygen support) and moderate-to-severe (hospitalization and/or need for oxygen support) COVID-19.Of the 1,042 SSc patients, 118 patients were diagnosed with COVID-19. Interstitial lung disease (SSc-ILD) was present in 65.6% of the total cohort and in 46.3% of SSc patients with COVID-19. There were 78 (66.1%) cases of mild COVID-19, and 40 (33.9%) cases of moderate-to-severe disease, with 6 (5.1%) deaths. By univariate analysis, pulmonary arterial hypertension (OR 9.50, p=0.006), SSc-ILD (OR 3.90, p=0.007), FVC80% (OR 2.90, p=0.01), cardiac involvement (OR 5.53, p=0.003), and use of rituximab (OR 3.92, p=0.039), but not age, gender, comorbidities or use of corticosteroids, were predictors of worse outcome for COVID-19. Using multivariate analysis, only SSc-ILD was significantly associated to a higher risk of moderate-to-severe COVID-19 (OR 2.73, 95% CI 1.12-6.69, p=0.02). Forty percent of the patients remained with symptoms after presenting COVID-19, predominantly dyspnea and/or cough (17%).In this cohort of patients with SSc, those with SSc-ILD were highly impacted by COVID-19, with a higher risk of moderate-to-severe COVID-19 infection and death.

Study Design This study used a quasi-experimental design where patients were evaluated before and after participation in the self-management program. Introduction Hands are commonly affected in systemic sclerosis (SSc). Strategies to maintain or improve hand function are indicated upon diagnosis and throughout the course of the disease. Purpose of the Study The purpose of this study was to develop and evaluate a home-based program for hands in patients with SSc. Methods A home-based self-management program that consisted of concise instructions about SSc and hand exercises was developed and evaluated in a group of patients with SSc during 8 weeks. Primary outcome measures were hand pain (Visual Analogue Scale) and hand function (Cochin Hand Function Scale). Secondary outcome measures were disability (Scleroderma Health Assessment Questionnaire), finger motion (delta finger-to-palm), grip strength, tip and key pinch strength, Raynaud phenomenon and digital ulcers impact, quality of life (Short Form Health Survey). For comparisons between different times analysis of variance for repeated measures was used. To calculate the effect size (ES), the Cohen's test was performed. To evaluate skin moisturizing and warming habits before and after intervention, the McNemar test was used. Statistical significance was set at P ≤ .05. Results Twenty-two SSc patients (19 women: 3 men; 16 limited scleroderma: 6 diffuse scleroderma) completed the program. Significant improvements were noted for hand pain (3.97 vs 2.21, ES: 0.69), Cochin Hand Function Scale (19.24 vs 12.48, ES: 0.48), Scleroderma Health Assessment Questionnaire (0.95 vs 0.48, ES: 1.01), delta finger-to-palm (92.86 vs 106.33, ES: 0.40), grip strength (14.43 vs 19, ES: 0.58), tip pinch strength (2.49 vs 4.18, ES: 1.15), key pinch strength (4.01 vs 5.22, ES: 0.76), Raynaud phenomenon impact (0.94 vs 0.47, ES: 0.75), Short Form Health Survey–role physical (47.38 vs 60.14, ES: 0.61), physical functioning (34.62 vs 61.9, ES: 0.18), social functioning (60.71 vs 75.6, ES: 0.64), bodily pain (50.55 vs 63.38, ES: 0.58), vitality (45.95 vs 62, ES: 2.22), mental health (56.62 vs 72.38, ES: 0.84) moisturizing, and cold avoidance habits. Patients considered the program easy to follow with no adverse effects related to exercises. Discussion We developed a home based hand care program to be offered to SSc patients. Improvements in hand function, strength, disability, motion, and overall quality of life were independent of age, income, education level, disease duration, and skin score. Our findings support those of other studies that reported the benefits of hand exercises in SSc. Some study limitations include the lack of a control group, the small number of subjects and the short-time follow up. Conclusions This home-based program for patients with SSc improved hand pain, function, mobility, and strength at the end of 8 weeks. Patient adherence and sustained efficacy is still to be determined.

BACKGROUND Endothelial progenitor cells are essential for vascular homeostasis. Considering the recurrent nature of granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) the aim of the study was to evaluate the angiogenic capacity of endothelial colony-forming cells (ECFC), which have the capacity for neovasculogenesis in vitro, of the patients with GPA, before and after plasma stimulation. METHODS Thirteen GPA PR3-positive patients and 15 healthy controls were included. ECFC were isolated from periferic blood and characterized by flow cytometry (FACS). Capillary tube formation (Matrigel assay) and scratching assay were measured during 24 hours. The migration assay was also performed after overnight incubation with healthy control plasma and active GPA patient plasma. Three patients with active disease where submitted to recollection of ECFC after treatment for longitudinal evaluation. RESULTS The culture was successful in 62% of GPA patients and 57% of controls. In the matrigel assay the ECFC from patients and controls showed similar capillary structures formation, however ECFC from inactive GPA alone showed early loss of angiogenic capacity between 15 and 24 hours. In scratching assay, there was an impairment in the proliferative capacity of the ECFC between GPA patients and controls without significant difference (12th hour, p = 0.05). When incubated with control plasma, ECFC of remission GPA patients showed a significant lower migration capacity after the 4th hour (p = 0.0001). In longitudinal analysis, ECFC isolated after treatment showed significantly lower migration rates. CONCLUSIONS PR3-positive remission GPA ECFC demonstrated early loss of tube formation and less proliferative capacity compared to those of healthy controls, suggesting impairment of endothelial function.

To evaluate olfactory function in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), systemic sclerosis (SSc) and healthy controls over a 2-year period, and to determine the association of olfactory dysfunction with age, disease activity, disease damage, treatment, anxiety and depression symptoms and limbic structures volumes.Consecutive SLE and SSc patients were enrolled in this study. Clinical, laboratory disease activity and damage were assessed according to diseases specific guidelines. Olfactory functions were evaluated using the Sniffin' Sticks test (TDI). Volumetric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was obtained in a 3T Phillips scanner. Amygdalae and hippocampi volumes were analyzed using FreeSurfer® software.We included 143 SLE, 57 SSc and 166 healthy volunteers. Olfactory dysfunction was observed in 78 (54.5%) SLE, 35 (59.3%) SSc patients and in 24 (14.45%) controls (p0.001) at study entry. SLE and SSc patients had significantly lower mean in all three phases (TDI) of the olfactory assessment when compared with healthy volunteers. In SLE, the presence of olfactory dysfunction was associated with older age, disease activity, higher anxiety and depression symptoms score, smaller left hippocampus volume, smaller left and right amygdalae volume and the presence of anti-ribosomal P (anti-P) antibodies. In SSc the presence of olfactory impairment was associated with older age, disease activity, smaller left and right hippocampi volumes and smaller right amygdala volume. Olfactory function was repeated after a 2-year period in 90 SLE, 35 SSc and 62 controls and was stable in all three groups.Both SLE and SSc patients with longstanding disease had significant reduction in all stages of TDI that maintained stable over a 2-year period. Olfactory dysfunction was associated with age, inflammation and hippocampi and amygdalae volumes. In SLE, additional association with anti-P, anxiety and depression symptoms was observed.

Background: Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a diffuse connective tissue disease characterized by varying degrees of cutaneous and visceral fibrosis, presence of autoantibodies and vasculopathy. In addition, central nervous system (CNS) involvements are often observed [1]. Objectives: The aim of the present study was to investigate the presence of axonal dysfunction in systemic sclerosis (SSc) and to determine if clinical, laboratory and treatment features are associated with its occurrence. Methods: In this longitudinal study we included 38 SSc patients (32 woman, mean age of 50.86, SD±11.66 years; range 31- 74) and 38 healthy volunteers (32 woman, mean age of 49.23, SD±12.03 years; range 26 - 77). All individuals were evaluated (neuropsychiatric evaluation and MRI) at study entry and after 12 months. Cognitive evaluation was performed using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), mood disorders were determined through Beck’s Depression (BDI) and Beck’s Anxiety Inventories (BAI). Individual with scores: MoCA ≤26, BDI ≥11 and BAI ≥7 were considered impaired. SSc patients were further assessed for clinical and laboratory SSc manifestations, disease activity (Valentini Activity Index), severity activity (Medsger Severity Index). We performed multi-voxel ¹H-MRSI over the superior-posterior region of the corpus callosum. Our MRI/MRSI protocol consisted of: T1-weighted images; 2D pulse sequence (PRESS); excitation angle of 90°; Long TE: 144ms and TR: 2000ms; VOI (MRSI) size (mm) ≈ (116 x 79 x 16) grid with 208 spectra. Scans were performed with a Philips 3.0T MRI scanner. We measured signals from N-acetyl-compounds (NAA), creatine (Cr), choline (Cho), glutamate (Glu), glutamine (Gln) and Glx (the sum of Glu and Gln) using TARQUIN software. Statistics was performed according nature of the variable. Results: We observed a significant reduction in NAA/Cr (mean value=1.72; SD=2.4) and Cho/Cr (mean value=2.4; SD=2.04) ratio in SSc when compared to controls (NAA/Cr mean value=1.85; SD=2.7; p = 0.36; Cho/Cr mean value=0.377; SD=0.169; p Follow up study showed a reduction in NAA/Cr values when compared to patients’ baseline values (p = 0.0341). Conclusion: Our results showed a significant reduction in NAA/Cr ratio in SSc patients associated with cognitive impairment and the use of some drugs (MTX and prednisone) during the treatment. Therefore, NAA/Cr ratios may be a useful biomarker in follow-up studies of SSc. References: [1] Hietaharju A, Jaaskelainen S, Hietarinta M, Frey H. Central nervous system involvement and psychiatric manifestations in systemic sclerosis (scleroderma): clinical and neurophysiological evaluation. Acta neurologica Scandinavica. 1993 [2] Mountford, C. E., Stanwell, P., Lin, A., Ramadan, S., and Ross, B., Neurospectroscopy: the past, presente and future,” Chemical reviews, 2010 [3] Wilson, M., Reynolds, G., Kauppinen, R. A., Arvanitis, T. N., and Peet, A. C., A constrained least-squares approach to the automated quantitation of in vivo 1h magnetic resonance spectroscopy data,” Magnetic resonance in medicine, 2011. Disclosure of Interests: None declared

Objective: To characterize the clinical and laboratory profile of juvenile-onset compared to adult-onset systemic sclerosis in a large Brazilian cohort. Methods: Retrospective analysis of a cohort of 1016 systemic sclerosis patients followed at the Scleroderma Outpatient Clinic from two referral university centers in Brazil. Patients were classified as systemic sclerosis according to the 1980 American College of Rhaumatology (ACR) criteria. Juvenile-onset systemic sclerosis was defined if age at onset was Results: Thirty-one (3.1%) patients were classified as juvenile-onset systemic sclerosis. These patients were predominantly females (90.3%), Caucasians (71.0%), and presented diffuse systemic sclerosis (51.6%), with mean age at onset of 12.71 years. Compared to the adult-onset patients, juvenile onset was associated with diffuse systemic sclerosis (p Conclusion: Juvenile-onset systemic sclerosis characterized a distinct clinical pattern in this large series of systemic sclerosis patients, since it was predominantly associated with diffuse systemic sclerosis without significant organ involvement.

Objective. Systemic sclerosis sine scleroderma (ssSSc) is an infrequent SSc variant characterized by visceral and immunological manifestations of SSc in the absence of clinically detectable skin involvement. We sought to delineate the characteristics of ssSSc in a cohort of Brazilian patients and contrast them with those in the literature. Methods. SSc patients seen at two academic medical centres in Brazil were retrospectively analysed. Patients were classified as ssSSc if they presented with RP, positive ANAs and at least one visceral involvement typical of SSc in the absence of skin thickening. Demographics, clinical and laboratory data were obtained by chart review. Literature review was performed by searching available original studies up until June 2012. Results. Among the 947 consecutive patients with SSc, 79 (8.3%) were classified as ssSSc. Oesophagus was the most frequently affected organ (83.1%), followed by pulmonary involvement (63.2%). Compared with the limited cutaneous form of SSc, telangiectasia was the only variable significantly different after multivariate logistic regression analyses (odds ratio 0.46; 95% CI 0.27, 0.81). Compared with the diffuse cutaneous form of SSc, multivariate analyses revealed that ssSSc patients were less likely to be male (odds ratio 0.15; 95% CI 0.04, 0.57), have digital ulcers (odds ratio 0.26; 95% CI 0.13, 0.51) or anti-Scl70 antibodies (odds ratio 0.19; 95% CI 0.07, 0.55) and less frequently treated with CYC (odds ratio 0.23; 95% CI 0.12, 0.43). These features were comparable to those in the published literature. Conclusion. In this series, patients with ssSSc had a relatively mild disease with good prognosis.

Objectives. The aim of this study was to evaluate human leukocyte antigen (HLA) involvement in the disease expression and poor prognostic clinical features (pulmonary fibrosis and pulmonary arterial hypertension) in patients diagnosed with systemic sclerosis (SSc) in a multiethnic population.Methods. SSc patients followed up between 2008 and 2011 were included, and clinical data were obtained through records review. Molecular HLA typing was performed (polymerase chain reaction amplification technique using specific primer sequences). The statistical analysis involved Fisher’s exact test and Pearson's corrected chi-square test.P values≤0.05were considered significant. The delta method was used to estimate the variance of the prevalence ratio (PR).Results. A total of 141 patients (120 women and 21 men) with SSc were studied, including 33.3% with diffuse cutaneous SSc (dcSSc), 62.4% with limited cutaneous SSc (lcSSc), and 4.3% with sine scleroderma. Pulmonary fibrosis was present in 61 patients (43.3%), and the HLA-A*30 and DQB1*04 alleles were related to susceptibility. In contrast, the HLA-DRB1*01 and DQB1*05 alleles were protective. Pulmonary arterial hypertension was diagnosed in 19 patients (13.5%) and was associated with HLA-B*35 and C*04; in contrast, C*03 seemed to be protective.Conclusions. Our current study documents the association of some classes I and II HLA alleles with the most severe clinical manifestations in a multiethnic case series. Our findings differed slightly from the previous data in other populations.

Objective.To analyze survival, prognostic factors, and causes of death in a large cohort of patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc).Methods.From 1991 to 2010, 947 patients with SSc were treated at 2 referral university centers in Brazil. Causes of death were considered SSc-related and non-SSc-related. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to identify prognostic factors. Survival at 5 and 10 years was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method.Results.One hundred sixty-eight patients died during the followup. Among the 110 deaths considered related to SSc, there was predominance of lung (48.1%) and heart (24.5%) involvement. Most of the 58 deaths not related to SSc were caused by infection, cardiovascular or cerebrovascular disease, and cancer. Male sex, modified Rodnan skin score (mRSS) > 20, osteoarticular involvement, lung involvement, and renal crisis were the main prognostic factors associated to death. Overall survival rate was 90% for 5 years and 84% for 10 years. Patients presented worse prognosis if they had diffuse SSc (85% vs 92% at 5 yrs, respectively, and 77% vs 87% at 10 yrs, compared to limited SSc), male sex (77% vs 90% at 5 yrs and 64% vs 86% at 10 yrs, compared to female sex), and mRSS > 20 (83% vs 90% at 5 yrs and 66% vs 86% at 10 yrs, compared to mRSS < 20).Conclusion.Survival was worse in male patients with diffuse SSc, and lung and heart involvement represented the main causes of death in this South American series of patients with SSc.

A 43-year-old woman reported pain in the right hypochondrium, which had started 3 years before and had been worsening for the past few days. Claudication in the superior and inferior limbs, diffuse myalgia, dyspnea, precordialgia followed by dizziness and visual turbidity were added to the clinical picture. In the physical examination bilateral carotid bruit was observed, abdominal aorta murmur and the decrease of the right radial and left pedis pulses and arterial hypertension with difference in the diastolic pressure between limbs >10 mmHg was also observed. On cardiac catheterisation with aortography, right coronary with proximal parietal irregularities, slight pressure increase in right chambers and pulmonary artery, preserved left ventricle contractility, competent valves, carotid and subclavian partial obstruction, severe narrowing of the abdominal aorta below the diaphragm (80%) and right renal artery significant stenosis were observed. Takayasu’s arteritis (TA) diagnosis was established according to the ACR criteria based on the clinical symptomatology, on physical and image test findings. Two years later she presented malar rash, photosensitivity, nephropathy, leukopenia, lymphopenia and hemolytic anemia confirming the systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) diagnosis. TA coexisting with SLE has rarely been reported.

The objective of this study is to describe the characteristics of patients with Erasmus syndrome (ES) in a large SSc Brazilian cohort. Nine hundred and forty-seven SSc patients attended at the Scleroderma Outpatient Clinic at two academic medical centers in Brazil and classified as SSc according to the ACR/EULAR criteria were retrospectively studied. Information on demographics, clinical, and laboratory features was obtained by chart review. ES patients had their HLA class II characterized by PCR-SSO method as available. Among the 947 SSc patients studied, nine (0.9 %) had ES. These ES patients were predominantly male (78 %) and smokers (68 %) and presented diffuse SSc (67 %). Mean time of occupational exposure to silica was 13.7 years, with mean age at onset of 47 years. Previous history of tuberculosis was referred by 33 % of the ES patients. All the ES patients presented Raynaud's phenomenon, esophageal involvement, and interstitial lung disease (ILD). Antinuclear antibodies were present in all the ES patients, while anti-topoisomerase I was positive in 44 % and no patient had anticentromere antibody. Three different HLA-DQB alleles (0506, 0305, and 0303) were observed. Compared to non-ES cases, patients with ES were associated with male gender (p < 0.001), diffuse SSc (p < 0.05), ILD (p < 0.05), positive anti-topoisomerase I antibodies (p < 0.05), and death (p < 0.05). Multivariate analysis did not confirm that silicosis is an independent risk factor for SSc. To conclude, ES was rare in this large SSc cohort, although associated with a bad prognosis.

Orientador: Manoel Barros Bertolo Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas Resumo: Introdução: A esclerose sistêmica (ES) é uma doença autoimune caracterizada por disfunção endotelial, vasculopatia obliterativa, fibrose cutânea e visceral. Trata-se de doença poligênica complexa que se manifesta em indivíduos geneticamente predispostos com exposição a fator ambiental ou outro precipitante e seu desenvolvimento depende da interação entre processos imunológicos, vasculares e fibróticos. Estudos genéticos prévios procuram correlacionar os alelos HLA classe I e II e as manifestações clínicas da doença. A fibrose pulmonar (FP) e a hipertensão arterial pulmonar (HAP) são, atualmente, os acometimentos com maior impacto prognóstico e as principais causas de óbito nos pacientes com ES. A expressão do autoanticorpo antitopoisomerase I (anti-Scl70) é um forte preditor de FP, associada à forma difusa e a HAP está relacionada ao anticorpo anticentrômero e à forma limitada da doença. Objetivos: O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a participação do HLA na expressão da doença e suas manifestações clínicas de pior prognóstico (FP e HAP) em pacientes com ES em uma população miscigenada. Métodos: Foram incluídos os pacientes com ES seguidos no ambulatório de Reumatologia da Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP) de 2008 a 2011. Os dados clínicos foram obtidos através da análise dos prontuários. A genotipagem dos alelos Classe I e II foi realizada através da técnica de amplificação pela reação em cadeia da polimerase, utilizando seqüências específicas de primers. A análise estatística incluiu o teste exato de Fisher e o teste do qui-quadrado de Pearson. Foram considerados significativos valores de p ? 0,05. A razão de prevalência foi estimada pelo método delta. Resultados Cento e quarenta e um pacientes (120 mulheres e 21 homens) foram estudados, sendo 33,3% ES difusa, 62,4% ES limitada e 4,3% ES sine scleroderma. A FP foi considerada em 61 pacientes (43,3%), os alelos HLA-A*30 e DQB1*04 foram relacionados à suscetibilidade. No entanto, os alelos HLA-DRB1*01 e DQB1*05 foram relacionados à ausência desta manifestação. A HAP foi diagnosticada em 19 pacientes (13,5%) e teve associação com HLA-B*35 e C*04, enquanto o alelo C*03 pareceu ser protetor. Conclusões: Este estudo aponta para associação de alguns alelos do HLA classe I e II às manifestações clínicas de maior morbimortalidade na ES nesta série de casos. Estes achados não foram semelhantes aos encontrados previamente em outras populações, o que evidencia múltiplos padrões genéticos na ES Abstract: Introduction: Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is an autoimmune disease characterized by endothelial dysfunction, occlusive vasculopathy, cutaneous and visceral fibrosis. This is a complex polygenic disease that manifests in genetically predisposed individuals with environmental or other precipitating factor exposure and its development depends on the interaction between immunological, vascular and fibrotic processes. Previous genetic studies aimed to correlate class I and II HLA and the clinical manifestations of the disease. Pulmonary fibrosis (PF) and pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) are currently the worse prognostic features and the main causes of death in patients with SSc. The presence of anti-topoisomerase I antibody (anti-Scl70) is a strong predictor of FP, associated with diffuse SSc and PAH is related to anticentromere and the limited form of the disease. Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the HLA involvement in disease expression and poor prognostic clinical features, pulmonary fibrosis (PF) and pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), in patients diagnosed with systemic sclerosis (SSc) in a multiethnic population. Methods: SSc patients followed 2008-2011 were included and clinical data were obtained through records review. Molecular HLA typing was performed (PCR amplification technique using sequence of specific primers). Statistical analysis included Fisher's exact test and Pearson's corrected chi-square test. P values ? 0.05 were considered significant. The prevalence ratio was estimated by delta method. Results: One hundred forty-one patients (120 women and 21 men) were studied, 33,3% dcSSc, 62,4% lcSSc and 4,3% sine scleroderma. PF was present in 61 patients (43,3%), HLA-A*30 and DQB1*04 were related to susceptibility. However, HLA-DRB1*01 and DQB1*05 alleles were protective. PAH was diagnosed in 19 (13,5%) and had association with HLA-B*35 and C*04, whereas C*03 seemed to be protective. Conclusions: Our current study documents the association of some class I and II HLA alleles with the most severe clinical manifestations in a multiethnic case series. Our findings were not absolutely similar to the previous data in other populations Mestrado Clínica Médica Mestra em Clínica Médica