Table 1 Characteristics of systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients

Sex: female/male

41/5

Mean age (years)

41 ± 14,2

Mean duration of disease (years)

10,5 ± 6,5

SSc subtype

   Diffuse systemic sclerosis

30 (65%)

   Limited systemic sclerosis

16 (35%)

Peripheral vascular (inactive Digital ulcers)

7 (15%)

Organ involvement

   Lung involvment

25 (57%)

   Gastro-intestinal involvement

17 (37%)

   Heart involvement

8 (17%)

   Kidney involvement

2(4,3%)

Positive rheumatoid factor

12(31%)

Positive antinuclear antibodies

24 (62%)

Antitopoisomerase I

15 (33%)