Systemic Sclerosis and Pleural Effusion in a Patient with Ankylosing Spondylitis / 대한내과학회지

ABSTRACT

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a chronic autoimmune disorder characterized by endothelial and fibroblast dysfunction, resulting in progressive fibrosis of the skin and internal organs. Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is an arthritic condition affecting the axial skeleton and peripheral joints. An association between SSc and AS is relatively rare, as the two diseases share few characteristics. Here, we present a case of limited SSc in a 44-year-old man who exhibited low-grade AS, and discuss several cases of coexisting SSc and AS in the literature. Patients with both diseases showed several common features, including male predominance, middle age, and combined interstitial lung disease. However, unlike our case, the patients reported in the literature had advanced ankylosis and diffuse SSc.