Anticardiolipin, anticentromere and anti-Scl-70 antibodies in patients with systemic sclerosis and severe digital ischaemia

The presence of anticardiolipin antibodies may not be a useful indicator of severe systemic sclerosis (SSc) and accompanying loss of circulation to the fingers and toes (digital ischemia). Anticentromere antibodies may be useful in indicating severe digital ischemia, however. Systemic sclerosis (scleroderma) is a disorder of the blood vessels and connective tissue, leading to the breakdown of the fiber of the skin and internal organs. Of 68 SSc patients studied, 31 were considered to have severe digital ischemia. Of these, 17 (55%) had high levels of anticentromere antibodies, compared to 24% of those patients without digital ischemia. Measurement of anticentromere antibodies in SSc patients may alert doctors to those at greater risk for severe digital ischemia, which can require amputation.