Excluded studies

Excluded studies

Study reference

Reason for exclusion

Bosello S, De Santis M, Lama G et al. (2010) B cell depletion in diffuse progressive systemic sclerosis: safety, skin score modification and IL‑6 modulation in an up to 36 months follow-up open-label trial. Arthritis Research & Therapy 12: R54

Non-comparative study including less than 10 participants

Fraticelli P, De Vita S, Franzolini N et al. (2015) Reduced type I collagen gene expression by skin fibroblasts of patients with systemic sclerosis after one treatment course with rituximab. Clinical and Experimental Rheumatology 33 (Suppl 91): S160–7

Non-comparative study including less than 10 participants

Phumethum V, Jamal S and Johnson SR (2011) Biologic therapy for systemic sclerosis: a systematic review. The Journal of Rheumatology 38: 289–96

No meta-analyses Provides no additional evidence

Smith V, Van Praet JT, Vandooren B et al. (2010) Rituximab in diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis: an open-label clinical and histopathological study. Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases 69: 193–7

Non-comparative study including less than 10 participants

Smith V, Piette Y, van Praet JT et al. (2013) Two-year results of an open pilot study of a 2‑treatment course with rituximab in patients with early systemic sclerosis with diffuse skin involvement. The Journal of Rheumatology 40: 52–7

Non-comparative study including less than 10 participants

Smith V, Pizzorni C, Riccieri V et al. (2016) Stabilization of Microcirculation in Patients with Early Systemic Sclerosis with Diffuse Skin Involvement following Rituximab Treatment: An Open-label Study. The Journal of Rheumatology 43: 995–6

Non-comparative study including less than 10 participants