Systemic sclerosis complicated with nephrotic syndrome: relevance with antiribosomal P antibody

The nephrotic syndrome is an extremely rare occurrence in systemic sclerosi s (SSc). Here we describe a 39-year-old woman with SSc who developed the ne phrotic syndrome along with the expression of antiribosomal P antibody but not of anti-double-stranded DNA antibody in her serum. Although a renal bio psy specimen showed minimal changes on light microscopy, immunofluorescence studies showed granular deposition of C3 and IgM in the glomeruli. The pat ient recovered from the nephrotic syndrome with the decrease in serum antir ibosomal P antibody after the daily administration of 60 mg of prednisolone . It is strongly suggested that antiribosomal P antibody might have been in volved in the development of the nephrotic syndrome in our patient.