Clin Exp Rheumatol
-
We studied in vitro platelet aggregation response to serotonin in 19 patients with systemic sclerosis and 18 matched controls. Individuals with early systemic sclerosis had increased % platelet aggregation at 3 minutes over a wide range of serotonin concentrations when compared to individuals with late systemic sclerosis. ⋯ No significant differences in initial slope of platelet aggregation were detected in any patient subgroup. These data support previous studies suggesting platelet activation in systemic sclerosis and further suggest that future studies of platelet abnormalities in systemic sclerosis should consider the effects of disease duration.