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. 2016 Mar;11(1):26-31.

Clinical Phenotype of Endothelial Dysfunction in Romanian Scleroderma Patients

Laura Groseanu  1 , Florian Berghea  1 , Andra Balanescu  1 , Denisa Predeteanu  1 , Violeta Bojinca  1 , Ioana Saulescu  1 , Cosmin Constantinescu  1 , Daniela Opris  1 , Mihai Abobului  1 , Andreea Borangiu  1 , Maria-Magdalena Negru  1 , Violeta Vlad  1 , Ruxandra Ionescu  1
Affiliations

Clinical Phenotype of Endothelial Dysfunction in Romanian Scleroderma Patients

Laura Groseanu et al. Maedica (Bucur). 2016 Mar.

Abstract

Objective: To identify the particularities of the clinical phenotype of endothelial dysfunction in a lot of Romanian patients from a reference center and compare it to data reported by international registries.

Material and methods: 51 patients were included in a cross-sectional study. The patients were evaluated for the pattern of disease, main visceral involvement, serum markers of disease.

Results: 41.2% patients had history of digital ulcers, 27.45% had pulmonary arterial hypertension; cardiovascular involvement also included: diastolic dysfunction in 31.1% of the patients, global systolic dysfunction in 9.8%, rhythm and conduction disturbances in 19.6%, peripheral vascular disease in 19.6%. Scleroderma renal crisis was identified in 2 patients.

Conclusion: Vascular complications are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in systemic sclerosis. Earlier therapeutic intervention demands improved screening and diagnosis in all cases.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Figure 1. Correlation between sPAP (systolic pulmonary artery pressure) and DLCO (diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide) (p=0.001, r=-0.499).
Table 1.
Table 1.
Table 1. Differences between patients with and without systolic dysfunction. Data are presented as mean values (standard deviation) or percentages for each parameter, p values for differences, r - Pearson’s bivariate correlation/ Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient for the association between evaluated variable. ESR-erythrocytes sedimentation rate, CRP-C reactive protein, DLCO-diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide, sPAPsystolic pulmonary artery pressure.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Figure 2. Diabetes mellitus and smoking are associated with increased risk of scleroderma renal crisis (p=0.025, respectively p=0.051).
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
Figure 3. The incidence of pulmonary hypertension in relation with disease duration.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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