Endothéline-1 et crise rénale sclérodermique

[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.

[Sclerodermic renal crisis: case report]

Sclerodermic renal crisis is defined as a severe arterial hypertension or rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis in a sclerodermic patient, associated with anuria due to no other cause but systemic sclerodermia. It constitutes a rare and dangerous complication. The renal prognosis can be effectively improved by converting enzyme inhibitors, allowing a better arterial hypertension control. However, the associated mortality remains high, a follow up must be instaured in order to prevent the apparition of renal lesions in all sclerodermic patients. We report a case of rapidly progressive renal failure with hypertension in a patient with no previous problems, which preceded the development of scleroderma diffuse cutaneous form. The biopsy showed a microangiopathy in the context of scleroderma renal crisis. The evolution was marked by the presence of chronic renal insufficiency which necessitated the dialysing start.