Most frequent symptoms at initial presentation (26 - 60%):
(1) Raynaud's phenomenon
(2) sclerodactyly (tight skin)
(3) polyarthralgias
(4) swelling of an extremity
Less frequent symptoms at initial presentation (12-16%):
(1) dysphagia
(2) constitutional symptoms (weight loss, anorexia, fever, fatigue, lassitude)
(3) change in skin color, pigmentary skin changes
(4) dyspnea
(5) change in bowel habits
Uncommon symptoms at initial presentation (<= 6%):
(1) proximal cutaneous sclerosis
(2) generalized pruritis
(3) impotence (in a male)
(4) digital ulcers
(5) hypertension
(6) peripheral vascular disease
(7) fecal incontinence
(8) Sicca Syndrome
(9) chronic cough
(10) change in mental status
(11) pericarditis
A patient who presents with visceral organ involvement often was more acutely ill and had a more rapidly progressive disease course.
A patient presenting with polyarthralgias may be diagnosed initially as having rheumatoid arthritis.
