Comment in:

J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2004 May;18(3):265-6.

PM-SCL autoantibody positive scleroderma with polymyositis (mechanic's hand: clinical aid in the diagnosis).

Department of Dermatology, County Hospital of Bács-Kiskun (Kecskemét), 6000 Kecskemét, Nagykörösi u 15, Hungary. laszlo.a.torok@matavnet.hu

This report concerns a 56-year-old-woman presenting PM-SCL autoantibody positive scleroderma with dermatomyositis (scleromyositis) and concomitant interstitial lung fibrosis. The recently observed overlapping syndrome is characterized by the presence of specific autoantibodies, HLA-type association and benign course. A new skin symptom ("mechanic's hands") predicts the disease, in particular the interstitial lung pathology, which is its most relevant internal manifestation.

PMID: 15096156 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]