[Special features of systemic sclerosis in men]

Systemic sclerosis [SS] is a generalized disorder of connective tissue and microvasculature characterized by tissue fibrosis and obliteration of the vessels. Several features of systemic scleroderma in men are discussed in the literature. To investigate the initial clinical features, evolution and prognosis of systemic sclerosis in men. patients with systemic sclerosis based on ACR's criteria were included. In this retrospective study we compared a cohort of men to a cohort of women, diagnosed between 2000 and 2010 in department of internal medicine. Fifty four patients were included amongst which nine men. The mean follow-up duration was 39.5 months. A higher proportion of cardiac, renal and lung involvement were noted at diagnosis. Localized cutaneous sclerosis was predominant in men. This work has highlighted several features of systemic sclerosis encountered in men. These results warrant confirmation by analyzing a larger population