Document resource
Introduction Systemic Sclerosis (SSc) is a complex autoimmune disease with a wide range of clinical manifestations. While its epidemiology and clinical patterns have been extensively studied in Western populations, there is a scarcity of data from the Middle East and North Africa. This study provides a comprehensive overview of the clinical landscape of SSc in Egypt, using a large cohort from the EULAR Scleroderma Trials and Research (EUSTAR) registry.Material and Methods This cross-sectional cohort study included 275 SSc patients enrolled in the EUSTAR registry from various centers across Egypt. Demographic data, disease subtype, and the prevalence of key clinical manifestations were collected and analyzed. The frequency of digital ulcers (DUs), telangiectasias, Raynaud’s phenomenon, interstitial lung disease (ILD), pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), joint involvement, and dysphagia was determined.Results The study cohort comprised a total of 275 patients, including 30 males (10.9%) and 245 females (89.1%), reflecting the well-known female predominance of the disease. The mean age of the patients was (37.6 ± 13.5) years. A wide spectrum of clinical manifestations was observed. Raynaud’s phenomenon represented the most frequent feature, affecting the vast majority of patients (96.6%), and highlighting its role as a hallmark symptom in this population. Gastrointestinal involvement was also prominent, with dysphagia being reported in 51.7%, reflecting the high burden of esophageal dysfunction. Cutaneous findings were also common, as telangiectasias were detected in 50.0%, while digital ulcers, a well-recognized marker of vascular involvement and disease severity, were observed in 56.7%. Musculoskeletal manifestations were noted in 43.6%, indicating a considerable impact on joint health and functional ability. With regard to cardiopulmonary complications, pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) was present in 29.3%, whereas interstitial lung disease (ILD) in 31.5%, another major determinant of morbidity and mortality. Collectively, these findings underscore the multisystemic nature of the disease, with a predominance of vascular, gastrointestinal, and pulmonary manifestations.Conclusions This study was carried by the Egyptian Society for Microcirculation in Rheumatic diseases from the EUSTAR database. It provides the first large-scale report on the prevalence of clinical manifestations of SSc in an Egyptian cohort. The high prevalence of Raynaud’s phenomenon, dysphagia, and telangiectasias aligns with international findings, underscoring the significant burden of these symptoms in this population. The prevalence of ILD and PAH highlights the need for early and routine screening. These findings serve as a foundational step toward understanding the disease’s unique profile in Egypt, informing future clinical guidelines and patient management strategies.