CRP and endothelial dysfunction: Elevated CRP (>0.5 mg/dl) is significantly associated with an increased risk of subclinical atherosclerosis in systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients, highlighting its role as a predictive inflammatory biomarker for cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. High CRP levels reflect systemic inflammation, which contributes to endothelial dysfunction and the development of atherosclerosis. Addressing inflammation may serve as a modifiable strategy to reduce cardiovascular events in SSc patients.