Is spleen circulation impaired in systemic sclerosis and what is the role of liver fibrosis?

Figure 1 Behavior of alanine amino transferase activity in the various groups. Cirrhotic patients clearly showed a median value higher than that of scleroderma (SSc) patients and control subjects, both of whom were characterized by values within normal range.

Figure 2 Behavior of spleen longitudinal diameter in the various groups. As is evident, cirrhotic patients showed a mean value significantly higher than that of scleroderma (SSc) and control subjects, both of whom were characterized by normal values.

Figure 3 Behavior of splenic artery resistivity index in the various groups. Scleroderma (SSc) patients clearly showed a mean value significantly higher than that of control subjects, whose values were within the normal range, but significantly lower than that of cirrhotic patients and somewhat overlapping with them.

Figure 4 Behavior of systolic blood pressure, expressed in mmHg, in the various groups. Scleroderma (SSc) patients clearly showed a mean value significantly higher than that of control subjects and cirrhotic patients, both groups showing values within the normal range.

Figure 5 Behavior of diastolic blood pressure, expressed in mmHg, in the various groups. Scleroderma (SSc) patients clearly showed a mean value significantly higher than that of control subjects, but a little overlapping, as were cirrhotic patients; both groups showing values within the normal range.

Figure 6 Good correlation between nailfold capillaroscopy grades (0-1-2-3) and splenic artery resistivity index in scleroderma patients.