The scleroderma kidney: progress in risk factors, therapy, and prevention

Sine scleroderma, limited cutaneous, and diffused cutaneous systemic sclerosis survival and predictors of mortality

BACKGROUND

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is associated with a variability of mortality rates in the literature.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the mortality and its predictors in a long-term follow-up of a bi-centric cohort of SSc patients.

METHODS

A retrospective observational study by systematically analyzing the medical records of patients diagnosed with SSc in Toulouse University Hospital and Ducuing Hospital. Standardized Mortality Ratio (SMR), mortality at 1, 3, 5, 10, and 15 years of disease and causes of death were described. Predictors of mortality using Cox regression were assessed.

RESULTS

Three hundred seventy-five patients were included: 63 with diffuse cutaneous SSc, 279 with limited cutaneous SSc, and 33 with sine scleroderma. The SMR ratio was 1.88 (95% CI 1.46-1.97). The overall survival rates were 97.6% at 1 year, 93.4% at 3 years, 87.1% at 5 years, 77.9% at 10 years, and 61.3% at 15 years. Sixty-nine deaths were recorded. 46.4% were SSc related deaths secondary to interstitial lung disease (ILD) (34.4%), pulmonary hypertension (31.2%), and digestive tract involvement (18.8%). 53.6% were non-related to SSc: cardiovascular disorders (37.8%) and various infections (35.1%) largely distanced those from cancer (13.5%). Four significant independent predictive factors were identified: carbon monoxide diffusing capacity (DLCO) < 70% (HR=3.01; p=0.0053), C-reactive protein (CRP) >5 mg/l (HR=2.13; p=0.0174), cardiac involvement (HR=2.86; p=0.0012), and the fact of being male (HR=3.25; p=0.0004).

CONCLUSION

Long-term data confirmed high mortality of SSc. Male sex, DLCO <70%, cardiac involvement, and CRP> 5mg/l were identified as independent predictors of mortality.

Journey of a patient with scleroderma from renal failure up to kidney transplantation

The increased awareness of systemic sclerosis (SS) and its pathogenetic background made the management of this disease more amenable than previously thought. However, scleroderma renal crisis (SRC) is a rarely seen as an associated disorder that may involve 2%-15% of SS patients. Patients presented with earlier, rapidly progressing, diffuse cutaneous SS disease, mostly in the first 3-5 years after non-Raynaud clinical manifestations, are more vulnerable to develop SRC. SRC comprises a collection of acute, mostly symptomatic rise in blood pressure, elevation in serum creatinine concentrations, oliguria and thrombotic microangiopathy in almost 50% of cases. The advent of the antihypertensive angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors in 1980 was associated with significant improvement in SRC prognosis. In a scleroderma patient maintained on regular dialysis; every effort should be exerted to declare any possible evidence of renal recovery. A given period of almost two years has been suggested prior to proceeding in a kidney transplant (KTx). Of note, SS patients on dialysis have the highest opportunity of renal recovery and withdrawal from dialysis as compared to other causes of end-stage renal disease (ESRD). KTx that is the best well-known therapeutic option for ESRD patients can also be offered to SS patients. Compared to other primary renal diseases, SS-related ESRD was considered for a long period of poor patient and allograft survivals. Pulmonary involvement in an SS patient is considered a strong post-transplant independent risk factor of death. Recurrence of SRC after transplantation has been observed in some patients. However, an excellent post-transplant patient and graft outcome have been recently reported. Consequently, the absence of extrarenal manifestations in an SS-induced ESRD patient can be accepted as a robust indicator for a successful KTx.

Scleroderma renal crisis with coexisting segmental arterial mediolysis presenting as intraperitoneal bleeding: a case report

Background

Segmental arterial mediolysis is a rare nonarteriosclerotic and noninflammatory vascular disease that may cause intraperitoneal bleeding. Scleroderma renal crisis is a rare complication of systemic sclerosis, leading to severe hypertension and renal dysfunction. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case of a patient with concurrent systemic sclerosis with scleroderma renal crisis and pathologically confirmed segmental arterial mediolysis.

Case presentation

We report a case of a 68-year-old Chinese woman diagnosed with systemic sclerosis who was found to have coexisting segmental arterial mediolysis. She presented with back pain, and massive intraperitoneal bleeding was detected by computed tomography. She underwent laparotomy, and the bleeding was found to originate from the gastroepiploic artery. The pathological examination demonstrated gastroepiploic arterial dissection caused by segmental arterial mediolysis. After surgery, she developed severe hypertension with hyperreninemia and progressive renal dysfunction. Given the risk factors of corticosteroid administration and the presence of anti-ribonucleic acid polymerase III antibody, she was diagnosed with scleroderma renal crisis. The patient was proved to have a very rare case of coexisting scleroderma renal crisis and segmental arterial mediolysis.

Conclusions

There is no known etiological connection between segmental arterial mediolysis and systemic sclerosis or scleroderma renal crisis, but it is possible that coexisting segmental arterial mediolysis and scleroderma renal crisis may have interacted to trigger the development of the other in our patient.

Scleroderma Renal Crisis Complicated with Thrombotic Microangiopathy Triggered by Influenza B Virus Infection

A 44-year-old Japanese man with a 14-year history of limited cutaneous systemic sclerosis (SSc) was admitted with a fever, hypertension, anemia, thrombocytopenia, and renal dysfunction. On admission, hypertension, hyperreninemia, acute renal dysfunction, hemolytic anemia, and thrombocytopenia led to the diagnosis of scleroderma renal crisis (SRC) complicated with thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA). The patient had also been infected with influenza B virus almost six days before admission. Following treatment with plasma exchange, an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, and an anti-virus agent, his general condition improved. He had no risk factors for SRC. In SSc patients, an influenza virus infection might trigger SRC complicated with TMA.

Kidney involvement in systemic sclerosis: From pathogenesis to treatment

Among all possible systemic sclerosis internal organ complications, kidney involvement is frequently neglected or underestimated, except for the life-threatening scleroderma renal crisis. Fortunately, this severe clinical presentation is nowadays better controlled with available treatments, in particular angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, and this has led to a reduction in its short- and longer-term mortality. Pathogenetic determinants are not well understood and many different other kidney involvements are possible in systemic sclerosis, including proteinuria, albuminuria, reduction of renal filtration, autoantibodies-related glomerulonephritis, and drug-related side effects. Different serological and radiological methods of evaluations are nowadays available, some representing promising diagnostic tool and prognostic outcome measure. Except for angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors in scleroderma renal crisis, no other treatment is currently recommended for treatment of kidney involvement in systemic sclerosis. For this reason, further studies are necessary to investigate its prognostic impact, in particular in combination with other systemic sclerosis-related internal organ manifestations. This review summarizes current available literature on kidney involvement in systemic sclerosis.

Points to consider in renal involvement in systemic sclerosis

This article discusses points to consider when undertaking a clinical trial to test therapy for renal involvement in SSc, not including scleroderma renal crisis. Double-blind, randomized controlled trials vs placebo or standard background therapy should be strongly considered. Inclusion criteria should consider a pre-specified range of renal functions or stratification of renal function. Gender and age limitations are probably not necessary. Concomitant medications including vasodilators, immunosuppressants and endothelin receptor antagonists and confounding illnesses such as diabetes, kidney stones, hypertension and heart failure need to be considered. A measure of renal function should be strongly considered, while time to dialysis, mortality, prevention of scleroderma renal crisis and progression of renal disease can also be considered, although they remain to be validated. Detailed, pre-planned analysis should be strongly considered and should include accounting for missing data.

Scleroderma renal crisis and renal involvement in systemic sclerosis

Scleroderma renal crisis (SRC) is a rare, potentially life-threatening complication that affects 2-15% of patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc, also known as scleroderma). SRC typically presents in patients with early, rapidly progressive, diffuse cutaneous SSc within the first 3-5 years after the onset of a non-Raynaud sign or symptom. SRC is characterized by an acute, usually symptomatic increase in blood pressure, a rise in serum creatinine levels, oliguria and thrombotic microangiopathy in about 50% of patients. The prognosis of SRC substantially improved in the 1980s with the introduction of angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitors for rapid blood pressure control, with additional antihypertensive agents as required. However, the survival of patients with SRC can still be improved. Current patient survival is 70-82% at 1 year, but decreases to 50-60% at 5 years despite dialysis support. Patients with SRC who show no signs of renal functional recovery despite timely blood pressure control are candidates for transplantation. In this Review, we discuss progress made in the identification and proactive management of patients at risk of SRC and make recommendations aimed at optimizing management for those who progress to chronic kidney failure.

[Hypertension in scleroderma: A vital emergency]

PURPOSE

In systemic sclerosis, hypertension is feared because it is often heralding severe renal impairment. The objective of our study was to identify the frequency of arterial hypertension and clarify its etiologies in this condition.

PATIENTS/METHODS

Our study was prospective. From January 2008 to May 2012, we have included all patients over the age of 16 years which featured a systemic scleroderma meeting the criteria for classification of Leroy and Medsger modified. Blood pressure was systematic and hypertension was defined as a greater than 140/90 mmHg PAS/PAD.

RESULTS

We have collected 60 patients. It was 50 women and 10 men with an average age of 41.1 ans ± 13.03. Arterial hypertension was noted in sixteen patients (26.7%) with an average age of 48.8 years ± 13.21. It was nine diffuse cutaneous systemic scleroderma of six limited cutaneous scleroderma and one case of scleroderma sine scleroderma. Etiologic research hypertension had concluded to a renal cause in 12 patients. It was five scleroderma renal crisis (SRC), three vascular nephropathies, four chronic kidney failure (CKD) including three terminals and a moderate CKD. An 'essential' so-called HTA was observed in four patients. Hypertension was a major sign that reported five cases of SRC. These patients had received treatment anti hypertensive and renal extra cleansing.

DISCUSSION

Hypertension is common in systemic scleroderma. Our data approximates of literature when its frequency and severity.

CONCLUSION

Hypertension is a major warning sign that under no circumstances should overlook it or novo or secondary aggravation. Its support must be very early under penalty to put at stake the life-threatening in particular during the CRS.

Informatics can identify systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients at risk for scleroderma renal crisis

BACKGROUND

Electronic medical records (EMR) provide an ideal opportunity for the detection, diagnosis, and management of systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients within the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). The objective of this project was to use informatics to identify potential SSc patients in the VHA that were on prednisone, in order to inform an outreach project to prevent scleroderma renal crisis (SRC).

METHODS

The electronic medical data for this study came from Veterans Informatics and Computing Infrastructure (VINCI). For natural language processing (NLP) analysis, a set of retrieval criteria was developed for documents expected to have a high correlation to SSc. The two annotators reviewed the ratings to assemble a single adjudicated set of ratings, from which a support vector machine (SVM) based document classifier was trained. Any patient having at least one document positively classified for SSc was considered positive for SSc and the use of prednisone≥10mg in the clinical document was reviewed to determine whether it was an active medication on the prescription list.

RESULTS

In the VHA, there were 4272 patients that have a diagnosis of SSc determined by the presence of an ICD-9 code. From these patients, 1118 patients (21%) had the use of prednisone≥10mg. Of these patients, 26 had a concurrent diagnosis of hypertension, thus these patients should not be on prednisone. By the use of natural language processing (NLP) an additional 16,522 patients were identified as possible SSc, highlighting that cases of SSc in the VHA may exist that are unidentified by ICD-9. A 10-fold cross validation of the classifier resulted in a precision (positive predictive value) of 0.814, recall (sensitivity) of 0.973, and f-measure of 0.873.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study demonstrated that current clinical practice in the VHA includes the potentially dangerous use of prednisone for veterans with SSc. This present study also suggests there may be many undetected cases of SSc and NLP can successfully identify these patients.

Scleroderma renal crisis following pericardial effusion in a Japanese female

Scleroderma renal crisis (SRC) occurs in 4-5% of Japanese patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) and is one of the most severe complications, along with interstitial pneumonia and pulmonary hypertension, which lead to a poor outcome. The factors predicting SRC include diffuse progressive skin thickening, a duration of SSc of 4 years or less, having autoantibodies against RNA polymerase III, systemic corticosteroid (CS) administration and recent cardiac events, including pericarditis. We herein report a female case of SRC preceded by pericardial effusion during the treatment with CS for rapidly progressive skin thickening. She had none of the known autoantibodies and was successfully treated with an angiotensin II receptor blocker.

Differentiating scleroderma renal crisis from other causes of thrombotic microangiopathy in a postpartum patient

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP), hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), and scleroderma renal crisis (SRC) all present with features of thrombotic microangiopathy. Distinguishing among these entities is critical, however, as treatments differ and may be mutually exclusive. We describe the case of a 25-year-old woman with an undefined mixed connective tissue disease who presented 6 weeks post-partum with fever, transient aphasia, thrombocytopenia, hemolytic anemia, and acute kidney injury eventually requiring initiation of hemodialysis. Renal biopsy revealed thrombotic microangiopathy. Renal function did not improve despite immediate initiation of plasma exchange, and an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor was initiated following discontinuation of plasma exchange. At last follow up, she remained dialysis dependent. Due to the myriad causes of thrombotic microangiopathy and potential for diagnostic uncertainty, the patient's response to therapy should be closely monitored and used to guide modification of therapy.

Cardiovascular risk in rheumatoid arthritis and systemic autoimmune rheumatic disorders: a suggested model of preventive strategy

The pathogenesis of accelerated cardiovascular damage commonly characterizing patients affected by systemic chronic inflammatory and autoimmune rheumatic disorders is quite complex and still not fully clarified. However, it is well accepted that a strong relationship between multiple factors, including both traditional cardiovascular risk factors and disease-related inflammatory and autoimmune mechanisms, may in part explain the precocious atherosclerotic vessel damage and the increased incidence of cardiovascular events. Nevertheless, although several recent studies focused their attention on the investigation of these complex mechanisms, data regarding possible preventive strategies aimed to reduce long-term cardiovascular risk in these subjects are still lacking and not conclusive. In this setting, the early introduction of evidence-based preventive measures for the correct management of patients with systemic autoimmune disorders would be of extreme importance to reduce subclinical atherosclerosis incidence and possible major cardiovascular events.

Renal involvement in autoimmune connective tissue diseases

Connective tissue diseases (CTDs) are a heterogeneous group of disorders that share certain clinical presentations and a disturbed immunoregulation, leading to autoantibody production. Subclinical or overt renal manifestations are frequently observed and complicate the clinical course of CTDs. Alterations of kidney function in Sjögren syndrome, systemic scleroderma (SSc), auto-immune myopathies (dermatomyositis and polymyositis), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), antiphospholipid syndrome nephropathy (APSN) as well as rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are frequently present and physicians should be aware of that.In SLE, renal prognosis significantly improved based on specific classification and treatment strategies adjusted to kidney biopsy findings. Patients with scleroderma renal crisis (SRC), which is usually characterized by severe hypertension, progressive decline of renal function and thrombotic microangiopathy, show a significant benefit of early angiotensin-converting-enzyme (ACE) inhibitor use in particular and strict blood pressure control in general. Treatment of the underlying autoimmune disorder or discontinuation of specific therapeutic agents improves kidney function in most patients with Sjögren syndrome, auto-immune myopathies, APSN and RA.In this review we focus on impairment of renal function in relation to underlying disease or adverse drug effects and implications on treatment decisions.

Proteinuria in systemic sclerosis: reversal by ACE inhibition

In systemic sclerosis (SSc), kidney damage is a major clinical problem which can lead to a deleterious outcome. Recently, in diabetes mellitus, early detection of proteinuria and treatment with angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors has been shown to slow progression of kidney disease and to improve prognosis. In this study, we investigated the spontaneous course of proteinuria in SSc and the effects of ACE inhibitor therapy. Proteinuria was determined in SSc patients with urine protein electrophoresis. SSc patients with proteinuria (n = 31) were followed over a median of 12 months. Of all 31 patients with pathologic urine protein electrophoresis investigated in this study, 9 patients (29 %) had additional microalbuminuria and 4 patients (12.9 %) showed increased total urinary protein. ACE inhibitor treatment was subsequently given to 23 patients. A total of 8 patients remained untreated for various reasons. Proteinuria resolved in 74 % of patients treated with ACE inhibitors, whereas in the untreated group, remission was observed only in 25 % (p = 0.014). Improvement of proteinuria was predominantly achieved in patients with recently diagnosed proteinuria and short disease duration. In patients with SSc and proteinuria, initiation of ACE inhibitor therapy resulted in a significant decrease in proteinuria.

The prevalence and clinical correlates of an auscultatory gap in systemic sclerosis patients

Introduction. Accurate blood pressure (BP) measurement is essential to the diagnosis and management of hypertension in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) to help prevent renal and cardiovascular complications. The presence of an auscultatory gap during manual BP measurement-the temporary disappearance of the Korotkoff sounds during cuff deflation-leads to a potentially important underestimate of systolic BP if undetected. Objectives. Since the presence of an auscultatory gap is frequently associated with increased vascular stiffness, we investigated its presence and correlates in 50 consecutive SSc patients. Methods. For each patient, BP was measured sequentially using three different approaches performed in the same order. Results. Sixteen of 50 patients (32%) had an auscultatory gap which if undetected would have resulted in clinically important underestimates of systolic BP in 4 patients. The presence of an auscultatory gap was statistically associated with the presence of antibodies to RNA polymerase III (P<0.0068) and SSc diagnosis type (P<0.01). Conclusions. Our study demonstrates that auscultatory gaps are relatively common in SSc and correlate with markers for SSc vasculopathy. If undetected auscultatory gaps may result in clinically important underestimation of BP. Thus, electronic oscillometric BP may be preferred in SSc patients.

Prevalence, correlates and clinical usefulness of antibodies to RNA polymerase III in systemic sclerosis: a cross-sectional analysis of data from an Australian cohort

INTRODUCTION

The prevalence of antibodies to RNA polymerase III (anti-RNAP) differs among systemic sclerosis (SSc) cohorts worldwide. Previously reported associations of anti-RNAP include diffuse cutaneous disease, tendon friction rubs and renal crisis, with recent reports suggesting a close temporal association between malignancy and SSc disease onset among patients with anti-RNAP.

METHODS

Patients with SSc were tested for the presence of anti-RNAP at recruitment into the Australian Scleroderma Cohort Study. We used univariate and multivariable methods to identify and quantify clinical and laboratory correlates of anti-RNAP in SSc. Diagnostic testing procedures were used to determine the usefulness of these antibodies in estimating the likelihood of clinically important outcomes.

RESULTS

There were 451 patients with mean ± standard deviation age and disease duration at recruitment of 58.1 ± 12.4 and 11.6 ± 10.0 years, respectively; 151 (33.5%) patients were recruited within 5 years of diagnosis of SSc. Overall, 69 (15.3%) patients had anti-RNAP. Univariate associations of anti-RNAP were diffuse disease (75.4% vs. 20.9%, P < 0.0001), joint contractures (73.9% vs. 30.1%, P < 0.0001), greater highest-recorded modified Rodnan skin score (20.6 ± 12.4 vs. 10.1 ± 7.9, P < 0.0001), synovitis (31.9% vs. 19.9%, P = 0.03), myositis (2.9% vs. 0.5%, P = 0.05), systemic hypertension (59.4% vs. 39.7%, P = 0.002), renal crisis (24.6% vs. 1.8%, P < 0.0001) and malignancy diagnosed within 5 years of onset of SSc skin disease (13.3% vs. 3.9%, P = 0.01). In multiple regression analysis, after adjustment for other covariates, anti-RNAP were independently associated with renal crisis (odds ratio (OR) 3.8, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.2 to 11.5, P = 0.02; positive predictive value (PPV) 24.6%, negative predictive value (NPV) 98.2%), diffuse disease (OR 6.4, 95% CI 2.9 to 13.8, P < 0.0001; PPV 75.4%, NPV 20.9%), joint contractures (OR 2.5, 95% CI 1.2 to 5.3, P = 0.02; PPV 73.9%, NPV 69.9%) and malignancy diagnosed within 5 years of onset of SSc skin disease (OR 4.2, 95% CI 1.3 to 13.4, P = 0.01; PPV 13.3%, NPV 96.1%).

CONCLUSIONS

Anti-RNAP status is a clinically useful prognostic marker in SSc and enables clinicians to identify patients at high risk of developing renal crisis, synovitis, myositis and joint contractures. Patients with anti-RNAP also have an increased risk of malignancy within a 5-year timeframe before or after onset of SSc skin changes.