A survey and comparison of ET-1 level in scleroderma patients with and without pitting ulcer

Abstract

Introduction: Scleroderma is a systemic disorder with unknown etiology most notably characterized by skin thickening and damage of organs. Endothelin-1(ET-1) plays a role in skin fibrosis. This study aimed to survey and compareET-1level in systematic sclerosis (SSc) patients with and without scar pitting ulcer. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted on 95 patients with scleroderma in 2006 who were referred to the Rheumatology Clinic in Shariati hospital of Tehran. A questionnaire was completed and then the level of endothelin-1was measured in them. The data were analyzed using SPSS software and statistical tests. Results: The results indicated that the relationship among pitting ulcer, ulcer scar and the level of Endothelin-1 was significant. There was no significant relationship between age and the level of Endothelin-1. Conclusion: These data indicated that the Endothelin-1 plasma level in scleroderma patients with pitting ulcer was higher than patients without pitting ulcer. Thus, increase of ET-1 plasma level could be effective in vascular damage, fibrosis and skin thickness.

Keywords

• systemic scleroderma
• endothelin-1
• ulcer