The clinical characteristics of SSc patients were summarized in Table 2; we recorded disease duration, the pattern of SSc (diffuse/limited), the presence of anticentromere antibodies (ACA), anti-topoisomerase I (Anti-Scl70), antinuclear autoantibodies (ANA); pulmonary and musculoskeletal involvement as well as previous renal crisis and esophageal reflux were also evaluated. This evidence concerns the gene BTG3 and gastroesophageal reflux disease.