skip to main content

Limited systemic sclerosis — SCE Rheumatology MCQ

Instant feedback + full explanation. One question, done properly.

HardConnective tissue diseasesLimited systemic sclerosisSCE Rheumatology

A 60-year-old woman with anticentromere-positive systemic sclerosis attends annual review. Examination shows Raynaud symptoms are stable and skin thickening is distal. Investigations show transfer factor has gradually fallen despite preserved FVC. What is the most important complication to screen for?

Educational content. Not a substitute for clinical judgement or local policy.

Reveal the answer and explanation

Correct answer: E — Pulmonary arterial hypertension

The best answer is “Pulmonary arterial hypertension”. Pulmonary arterial hypertension is supported by the cited UK or directly applicable specialist authority and best matches the tested threshold, complication or monitoring principle. The remaining choices—“Scleritis, with clinical reassessment”, “AA amyloidosis, after safety review”, “Uveitis, after specialist assessment”, “Atlantoaxial subluxation, with clinical reassessment”—are credible in related rheumatology presentations, but each addresses a different diagnosis, investigation, treatment sequence or complication and does not fit the decisive findings in this stem.

Reference: BSR 2024 systemic sclerosis guideline: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11534099/