Prevalence of subclinical atherosclerosis is increased in systemic sclerosis and is associated with serum proteins: a cross-sectional, controlled study of carotid ultrasound

Abstract

Patients with SSc have a higher prevalence of carotid plaque than matched controls, and patients with SSc-plaque vs patients without plaque have elevated serum proteins implicated in both vasculopathy and fibrosis. Further studies are needed to evaluate the role of these proteins in SSc compared with healthy controls.