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Systemic sclerosis may lead to higher rates of retinal damage

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SAGA, Japan — Patients with systemic sclerosis may have increased retinal abnormalities due to vascular changes. These changes may not be evident during examination of the nailfold capillaries, a typical screening method for systemic sclerosis, according to a study.

O. Oshiyama, MD, and colleagues here with Saga Medical School evaluated photographs of the ocular fundi in patients with systemic sclerosis. Nailfold capillaries were also analyzed. Patients were then divided into two groups according to the presence or absence of retinal disease. A total of 67 patients were evaluated, 29 with systemic sclerosis and 38 in the control group.

The prevalence of retinal disease among the patients with systemic sclerosis was 34% compared with 8% in the group without systemic sclerosis. No significant differences existed in the nailfold capillaries between the two groups.

The study is published in the March issue of Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases.