Redefining Systemic Sclerosis Classification: Anti-Topoisomerase Antibody as a Superior Predictor of Interstitial Lung Disease and Skin Progression Compared to Limited Cutaneous Systemic Sclerosis Subset

<b>Background:</b> Currently, no information exists on the clinical course of anti-topoisomerase I antibody (ATA)-positive limited cutaneous systemic sclerosis (lcSSc). We aimed to evaluate the incidence of and time to the development of interstitial lung disease (ILD), pulmonary hyperte...

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Main Authors: Chana Chaovanitkul, Tippawan Onchan, Patnarin Pongkulkiat, Ajanee Mahakkanukrauh, Siraphop Suwannaroj, Chingching Foocharoen
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-07-01
Series:Life
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2075-1729/15/7/1067
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Summary:<b>Background:</b> Currently, no information exists on the clinical course of anti-topoisomerase I antibody (ATA)-positive limited cutaneous systemic sclerosis (lcSSc). We aimed to evaluate the incidence of and time to the development of interstitial lung disease (ILD), pulmonary hypertension (PHT), scleroderma renal crisis (SRC), and maximal modified Rodnan skin score (max-mRSS) in patients with lcSSc and dcSSc, with and without ATA. <b>Methods:</b> This cohort study included 522 patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). The incidence of and time to the development of ILD, PHT, SRC, and max-mRSS were assessed. <b>Results:</b> ATA-positive dcSSc (dcSSc-posATA) was the most common presentation among Thai patients (321 cases; 61.5%). The median time to the development of ILD was shorter than that in lcSSc-posATA, comparable to that in dcSSc-posATA (1.0 vs. 1.8 years, <i>p</i> = 0.21), and shorter than that in ATA-negative dcSSc (dcSSc-negATA) (1.0 vs. 4.8 years, <i>p</i> = 0.001). The time to max-mRSS in lcSSc-posATA was comparable to that in dcSSc-posATA (<i>p</i> = 0.17) but shorter than that in dcSSc-negATA (<i>p</i> < 0.001). <b>Conclusions:</b> Patients with lcSSc-posATA had a similar risk of ILD development and time to reach max-mRSS as those with dcSSc, regardless of the presence of ATA, but had earlier ILD development and max-mRSS compared to those with dcSSc-negATA. Their prognosis appeared to be better than that of dcSSc-posATA.
ISSN:2075-1729