Acta Dermato-Venereologica (Jun 2018)

Clinical Characteristics of Pruritus in Systemic Sclerosis Vary According to the Autoimmune Subtype

  • Greta Gourier,
  • Chloé Théréné,
  • Margaux Mazeas,
  • Claire Abasq-Thomas,
  • Emilie Brenaut,
  • Flavien Huet,
  • Haitham Sonbol,
  • Elize Campillo,
  • Julie Lemerle,
  • Elisabeth Pasquier,
  • Emmanuelle Le Moigne,
  • Alain Saraux,
  • Valérie Devauchelle-Pensec,
  • Laurent Misery,
  • Yves Renaudineau

DOI
https://doi.org/10.2340/00015555-2980
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 98, no. 8
pp. 735 – 741

Abstract

Read online

Pruritus is a frequent symptom in systemic sclerosis (SSc), with a prevalence of 40–65%, but its pathophysiology is poorly understood. This study investigated the immunological component of pruritus. Fifty-six patients with SSc responded to a standardized questionnaire regarding both SSc disease and pruritus characteristics. Among patients with SSc, those with pruritus did not display a particular immunological profile (inflammatory, humoral, and/or cellular factors), but pruritus was, in most cases, concomitant with the development of SSc. Thus, pruritus characteristics were evaluated further, according to the detection of anti-centromere autoantibodies (ACA), into ACA+ (n = 17) and ACA– (n = 19). The ACA+ subgroup was characterized by a longer evolution of SSc and pruritus, pruritus present outside the sclerotic area, and a shorter daily duration of pruritus. In conclusion, the concomitant appearance of the 2 processes and the differences observed between ACA+ and ACA– subgroups support the presence of an immunological component in pruritus.

Keywords