All of the following features about generalized (diffuse) systemic sclerosis are true, Except:
High-Yield Explanation
Answer is C (Anticentromere antibodies are characteristic): Antitopoisomerase antibodies (Scl 70) are characteristic of diffuse systemic sclerosis and not Anticentromere antibodies. Subsets of systemic sclerosis (SSC): Limited cutaneous SSC versus diffuse cutaneous: Features Limited cutaneous SSc Diffuse cutaneous SSc Skin involvement Limited to fingers, distal to elbows, face; slow progression Diffuse: finger, extremities, face, trunk; rapid progression Raynaud's phenomenon Preceds skin involvement; associated with critical ischemia Onset contemporaneous with skin involvement Pulmonary fibrosis May occur, moderate Frequent, early and severe Pulmonary aerial hypeension Frequent, late, may be isolated May occur, associated with pulmonary fibrosis Scleroderma renal crisis Very rare Occurs in 15%; early Calcinosis cutis Frequent, prominent May occur, mild Characteristic autoantibodies Anticentromere Antitopoisomerase (Scl - 70) Systemic symptoms Infrequent systemic symptoms such as Ahralgias, weight loss and pulmonary symptoms Significant systemic symptoms such as Ahralgias, weight loss and tendon friction rubs