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Objective Early detection of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is crucial for improving patient outcomes. The aim of this study was to compare the positive predictive value (PPV) of the echocardiography-derived tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion/systolic pulmonary artery pressure (TAPSE/sPAP) ratio with that of the DETECT algorithm for PAH screening in a cohort of SSc patients. Methods Fifty-one SSc patients were screened for PAH using the DETECT algorithm and echocardiography. Results Echocardiography was recommended by the DETECT algorithm step 1 in 34 patients (66.7%). Right heart catheterization (RHC) was recommended by the DETECT algorithm step 2 in 16 patients (31.4%). PAH was confirmed by RHC in 5 patients. The DETECT algorithm PPV was 31.3%. The TAPSE/sPAP ratio was higher in SSc patients not referred for RHC than in SSc patients referred for RHC according to the DETECT algorithm step 2 [0.83 (0.35–1.40) mm/mmHg vs 0.74 (0.12–1.09)  mm/mmHg, P  < 0.05]. Using a cut-off of 0.60 mm/mmHg, 8 (15.7%) SSc patients had a TAPSE/sPAP ratio of ≤0.60 mm/mmHg. PAH was confirmed by RHC in 5 patients. The PPV of TAPSE/sPAP was 62.5%. In multiple regression analysis, TAPSE/sPAP was associated with age [ β coefficient = −0.348 (95% CI: −0.011, −0.003); P  < 0.01], DETECT algorithm step 1 [ β coefficient = 1.023 (95% CI: 0.006, 0.024); P  < 0.01] and DETECT algorithm step 2 (β coefficient = −1.758 [95% CI: −0.059, −0.021]; P  < 0.0001). Conclusion In SSc patients with a DETECT algorithm step 2 total score of >35, the TAPSE/sPAP ratio can be used to further select patients requiring RHC to confirm PAH diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives The study aim was to evaluate the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), its association with clinical disease and its predictive ability with respect to mortality in SSc patients from the European Scleroderma Trials and Research Group (EUSTAR) database. Methods SSc patients from the EUSTAR database who had items required for the calculation of eGFR at a baseline visit and a second follow-up visit available were included. A cut-off eGFR value of 60 ml/min was chosen for all SSc patients, and 30 ml/min for those with scleroderma renal crisis (SRC). Cox regression and competing risk analysis were performed to evaluate the use of eGFR as a predictive factor of mortality. Results A total of 3650 SSc patients were included in this study. The median serum level of creatinine and the mean of eGFR were 0.8 mg/dl (interquartile range = 0.6–0.9) and 86.6 ± 23.7 ml/min, respectively. The eGFR was significantly lower in patients with pulmonary hypertension. Overall survival (OS) was significantly reduced in SSc patients with eGFR < 60 ml/min compared with patients with eGFR ≥ 60 ml/min [OS at 5 years 0.763 (95% CI: 0.700, 0.814) vs 0.903 (95% CI: 0.883, 0.919; P  < 0.001)]. In multivariable analysis, OS was associated with male gender (P  < 0.01), systolic pulmonary arterial pressure (sPAP) (P  < 0.001) and eGFR (P  < 0.001). The cumulative incidence of deaths due to SSc was associated with increased sPAP (P  < 0.001) and reduced eGFR (P  < 0.05). The OS at 5 years of 53 SRC patients was not significantly different between SSc patients with eGFR > 30 ml/min and those with eGFR <30 ml/min. Conclusion eGFR represents a predictive risk factor for overall survival in SSc. The eGFR, however, does not represent a risk factor for death in SRC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Circulating free light chains (FLCs), considered biomarkers of B cell activity, are frequently elevated in patients affected by systemic inflammatory autoimmune diseases. As the systemic sclerosis (SSc) clinical course can be variable, this study is aimed at evaluating FLCs levels in affected individuals as biomarkers of disease activity. We assessed FLC levels in serum and urine of 72 SSc patients and 30 healthy controls (HC). Results were analyzed in comparison with overall clinical and laboratory findings, disease activity index (DAI) and disease severity scale (DSS). SSc patients displayed increased levels of κ and λ FLC in serum significantly higher than HC (p = 0.0001) alongside the mean values of free κ/λ ratio and κ + λ sum (p = 0.0001). SSc patients showed increased free κ in urine with a κ/λ higher than HC (p = 0.0001). SSc patients with increased κ + λ in serum showed that erythro‐sedimentation rate (p = 0.034), C‐reactive protein (p = 0.003), DAI (p = 0.024) and DSS (p = 0.015) were higher if compared to SSc patients with normal levels of FLC. A positive linear correlation was found between serum levels of free κ and DAI (r = 0.29, p = 0.014). In addition, SSc patients with increased free κ in urine had higher DAI (p = 0.048) than SSc patients with normal κ levels. Our results strengthen the role of serum FLC as useful biomarker in clinical practice to early diagnosis and monitor disease activity, showing for the first time that also urine FLC levels correlated with disease activity in SSc patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: The objective of this study was to evaluate the predictive role of CD21low B cells as markers of new digital ulcers in systemic sclerosis patients. Peripheral blood B cell subpopulations and clinical assessments have been evaluated in 74 systemic sclerosis patients at baseline and after a 12‐month follow‐up. After a 12‐month follow‐up, 23 (31.1%) systemic sclerosis patients developed new digital ulcers. The median percentage of CD21low B cells was significantly higher in patients with than without new digital ulcers [10.1 (4.3–13.6) versus 4.8 (3.5–7.4); p < 0.01]. The 10% cut‐off shows good diagnostic accuracy [area under the curve (AUC) = 0.732, confidence interval (CI) = 0.587–0.878; P = 0.01]. Kaplan–Meier curves show a significantly reduced free survival from new digital ulcers in systemic sclerosis patients with CD21low B cells ≥ 10% (p < 0.0001). In multivariate analysis, CD21low B cells ≥ 10%, modified Rodnan skin score (mRSS) and systolic pulmonary arterial pressure (sPAP) are associated with the development of new digital ulcers. We hypothesize that CD21low B cells are a predictive marker of new digital ulcers in systemic sclerosis patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]