Renal manifestations of systemic sclerosis--clinical features and outcome assessment.

Renal manifestations occur frequently in scleroderma (SSc). Commonest is a reduction in renal function due to chronic disease but most clinically important is the scleroderma renal crisis (SRC). This life-threatening complication occurs in up to 15% of the cases of dcSSc. Mortality is reduced by use of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors. Renal outcome can be assessed by quantifying renal function, measuring proteinuria, exploring the frequency of renal crisis episodes and through assessment of renal outcome following SRC-such as frequency and duration of dialysis, or recovery of renal function.