srjmSRJMSRJM2788-9440https://doi.org/10.47310/srjm.2023.v03i02.005Prevalence of Renal Involvement in a Sample of Iraqi Patients with Systemic SclerosisZinahBasheerAl-BayatiHaiderObeedEnadFadyaAli ShaalanAl-GburiIntroduction: Systemic Sclerosis (SSc) is a rare autoimmune condition with no known etiology that is marked by excessive collagen deposition in the skin and internal organs, the production of autoantibodies and small vessels vasculopathy. The major manifestation of renal involvement is Scleroderma Renal Crisis (SRC). Aim of Study: The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and predictors of renal involvement SSc was found in a group of Iraqi patients. Subjects and Methods: This case-control study involve consecutive samples of 50 patients diagnosed with SSc and compared with another 59 healthy controls. Results: The majority of patients were with stage1 Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) (82%). The frequency of patients with CKD of stage 2 and stage 3-a were signifcantly higher among hypertensive scleroderma patients in comparison to normotensive patients. There was no significant association (p = 0.3) between the gender of the scleroderma patients and CKD. There was a significant association (p = 0.02) between the duration of the scleroderma in term of early and late disease and CKD as there were a higher frequency of patients of late disease phase with stage 2 and 3 of CKD. The results also showed that out of 9 patients with renal impairment; 5 had digital tip ulcer and 4 had dysphagia. There was a significant association between using of steroids and renal impairment. Conclusions: 1. The prevalence of renal impairment among SSc patients was higher (18%) compared to controls (1.7%) 2. The prevalence of hypertension in SSc is obviously increasing 3. Steroid use is a predictor of renal impairment in SSc patients.