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Digital ulcerations decrease the quality of life in patients with systemic sclerosis who have Raynaud phenomenon. Currently available therapies are either toxic or costly. HMGcoA reductase inhibitors (statins) have effects beyond lipid lowering, including improvement of endothelial dysfunction, reduction of thrombogenicity, and anti-inflammatory action, which have potential for benefit in these lesions.
In a 4-month, randomized, double-blind trial in 84 patients with systemic scleroderma and Raynaud phenomenon, 56 patients received 40 mg/day of atorvastatin, and 28 received placebo. The groups did not differ in age, sex, disease characteristics, or concomitant therapies. The primary outcome was the number of new digital ulcerations; secondar…