NPPB and tuberculosis: The systemic sclerosis patients with silicosis group had more males (P < 0.000),lower mean age at onset of SSc (P < 0.000), more frequent occurrence of weight loss (P = 0.028), smoking (P < 0.000), tuberculosis (P < 0.000), cardiac involvement (P < 0.000), ILD (P = 0.017), pulmonary hypertension (P = 0.024), elevated BNP (P < 0.000).