Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a rare form of connective tissue disease characterized by vascular involvement and the intensity of fibrosis. Its prevalence and incidence are difficult to assess, however, in France, a population survey conducted in Seine-St-Denis calculated a prevalence of 161 cases per million inhabitants.
The pathophysiology of SSc, the exact etiology of which remains unknown, involves an interaction between genetic and environmental factors. Its evolution can impact the aesthetic, functional and even vital prognosis of the affected patient.Within the analysis of SSc pathophysiology, a " very early systemic sclerosis " form of disease has been defined according to the presence of Raynaud's phenomenon and auto-antibodies in blood sample (ACAN positivity (≥1/160) with anti-Scl70, anti-centromere or anti-ARNPolIII specificity).
At present, no treatment to control this disease is available. The lack of available treatment is largely due to the very fragmented understanding of the pathophysiology of SSc. However, one of the keys to research remains the development of well-documented patient cohorts with quality biological samples. The investigators had the opportunity to start a major work on this plan with the VISS study (Vasculopathy and Inflammation in Systemic Scleroderma study) in 2012 as part of a project promoted by the University Hospital of Bordeaux (NCT02562079). This project has paved the way for many local, national and international collaborations. It has made it possible to structure and federate various partners of the Bordeaux University Hospital around translational research on SSc.
The investigators wish to continue our research and collaborations by further strengthening our expertise in the collection of rare and valuable biological samples for this disease.
