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SSc patients displayed increased risk for ischemic heart disease
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Patients with systemic sclerosis were at enhanced risk for ischemic heart disease and ischemic peripheral vascular disease, according to recent study results.
Researchers in Sweden studied 111 patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc; mean age, 61.8 years; 90% women) and 105 age- and sex-matched controls and compiled previous arterial ischemic events. Carotid ultrasound was used to determine plaque occurrence and intima media thickness (IMT), reflective of atherosclerosis; ankle brachial index (ABI) was determined.
Biomarkers indicating systemic inflammation, endothelial activation and dysfunction also were assessed, along with traditional cardiovascular risk factors.
Increased ischemic heart disease (IHD) and ischemic peripheral vascular disease (IPVD) led to patients more commonly experiencing ischemic arterial events compared with controls (12% vs. 4%; P=.03 and 9% vs. 0%; P=.003, respectively.) Ischemic cardiovascular disease, frequency of plaques, IMT or ABI showed no differences on a group level between SSc patients and controls. SSc patients with anti-centromere antibodies, however, experienced more plaques and ischemic arterial events compared with other SSc patients (67% vs. 39%; P=.006 and 32% vs. 11%; P=.01, respectively) and controls (67% vs. 41%; P=.02 and 32% vs. 7%; P=.0003, respectively).
In general, SSc patients displayed a greater frequency of biomarkers for inflammation and endothelial activation.
“We report increased prevalence of ischemic arterial events, affecting preferentially the heart and peripheral arteries in SSc patients, especially in anti-centromere antibody positive (ACA+) patients, where atherosclerosis is enhanced,” the researchers concluded. “The microvascular vulnerability of ACA+ patients is previously well documented. We demonstrate that ACA+ SSc patients have an enhanced risk of microvascular injury as well. This group should be followed closely, and modifiable cardiovascular risk factors should be treated at an early age.”
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.
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