Systemic sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis overlap syndrome – management of severe cardiac, pulmonary and articular involvement

Abstract

Introduction: The presence of another rheumatological condition in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) is not uncommon. To report a case of a patient with SSc-RA overlap and perform a review of the cases reported in the literature. Material and methods: A chart review of the present case report was performed. After, we performed a literature search in MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane databases. Results: We included 26 articles. Sixty-three patients were reviewed, 51 were female with a mean age of 45.03 years at the time of the first diagnosis. Sixty-three patients were diagnosed with limited cutaneous SSc. Regarding organ involvement, the most frequently reported were cutaneous, vascular, pulmonary and gastrointestinal involvement. Erosions were presenting 65.08% of patients. A panoply of treatments was used. Conclusions: The authors concluded that screening for an associated disease should be encouraged since the overlap with SSc may affect prognosis and treatment.