Systemic sclerosis & Raynaud's
Association of Elevated Platelets and C‐Reactive Protein With Severe Disease and Poor Survival in Systemic Sclerosis
Authors' conclusion
Elevated platelet levels in combination with elevated CRP levels identifies patients with SSc with severe disease and poor survival
Study context
- Population
- Adult patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) seen from 1996 to 2022
- Participants
- 139 patients
- Exposure
- Elevated platelets and/or elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) vs normal platelets/normal CRP
- NP/NCn = 84reference
- NP/ECn = 33
- EP/NCn = 10
- EP/ECn = 12
- Outcome
- Disease severity, progression and survival
Methodological detailsgroups by first blood draw after symptom onset: platelets ≥330,000/μL, CRP ≥6.0 mg/L
- Groups by first blood draw after symptom onset: platelets ≥330,000/μL, CRP ≥6.0 mg/L
Main finding
Survival
AHR for death
7.34
95% CI 2.40–22.41
Bonferroni-adjusted P = 0.0025
By group
EP/ECvs NP/NC
aHR for death 7.34 (95% CI 2.40–22.41); Bonferroni-adjusted P = 0.0025
As reported in the abstract
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Disease features (Scl-70 positivity, diffuse skin involvement, myocarditis/cardiomyopathy, dysphagia, GAVE, joint contractures, digital ulcers)
- Highest rates in EP/EC
- P < 0.05
FVC · two years
- NP/NC best baseline FVC, stable over two years; differences among groups over time not significant
Modified Rodnan skin score · two years
- Highest in EP/EC throughout the two-year period
- P < 0.05
Disease severity, isolated CRP or platelet elevation
- Intermediate severity compared with dual-elevation group
Original publication
Association of Elevated Platelets and C‐Reactive Protein With Severe Disease and Poor Survival in Systemic Sclerosis. Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken). Published 22 July 2026. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →