Which marker is associated with diffuse cutaneous scleroderma?

Diffuse cutaneous scleroderma is primarily associated with the presence of the Scl-70 antibody, also known as anti-topoisomerase I antibody. This autoantibody is specifically linked to a form of scleroderma that is characterized by widespread skin involvement that can progress rapidly, affecting not just the skin but also internal organs.

The presence of Scl-70 is significant in diagnosing diffuse scleroderma, reflecting the severity of the disease due to its association with inevitable organ involvement, such as lung fibrosis or renal crisis. Patients with this form of scleroderma tend to have lesions that appear suddenly and can cover large areas of the body, demonstrating a more aggressive clinical course compared to other forms like limited scleroderma, which is associated with centromere antibodies.

The other markers mentioned, such as centromere antibodies, Jo-1, and SRP, are associated with different autoimmune conditions or variants of scleroderma. For instance, centromere antibodies are more linked to limited scleroderma and have a more gradual skin involvement. Jo-1 antibodies are often found in myositis and polymyositis, while SRP (signal recognition particle) antibodies are linked with necrotizing