Project description:The endothelium-derived vasoconstrictor molecule endothelin-1 (ET-1) has been suggested to play a role in the pathogenesis of Raynaud's phenomenon (RP) and systemic sclerosis (SSc). We studied the effect of bosentan on microvascular structure and function in patients with RP secondary to limited cutaneous SSc in a mechanistic pilot study. In this single center, open study, 15 patients with limited cutaneous SSc were treated with bosentan for 16 weeks with a follow-up period of 4 weeks. Changes in microvascular structure and function were studied with assessment of vasodilatory microvascular responses using laser Doppler fluxmetry combined with iontophoresis, capillary permeability using fluorescence videomicroscopy, nailfold capillary microscopy, and serological markers of endothelial activation. No significant changes were seen in vasodilator responses to acetylcholine and sodium nitroprusside following bosentan treatment. No effect was noted on capillary permeability during treatment. The number of nailfold capillaries remained unchanged. The endothelial activation marker vascular cell adhesion molecule did not change during treatment, but levels of thrombomodulin significantly decreased after 12 weeks of treatment. Bosentan did not induce significant changes in vasodilator responses, capillary permeability, and capillary density during treatment, so no evidence was obtained for structural improvement of microvascular structure and function in this short-time mechanistic pilot study in patients with lcSSc.
Project description:Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is an autoimmune disease characterized by clinical heterogeneity, multi-organ involvement, and complex genetic risk. Here, we report the first multi-tissue meta-analysis of ten independent SSc gene expression datasets. We identify a common immune-fibrotic expression axis across all tissues that is associated with the most severe disease phenotypes. The coexpression patterns conserved across tissues and phenotypes were used to query functional genomic networks, which allowed us to identify common and tissue-specific disease drivers. We find evidence of pro-fibrotic macrophages (MØs) in SSc end-target organs. Prominent genes in the skin functional genomic network are associated with SSc genetic risk and are modulated by immunosuppressive treatment in clinical improvers. These data suggest the interactions between T lymphocytes and MØs are a critical driver of disease and implicate MØs as central to SSc pathogenesis. In total, this study presents a mechanism for fibrosis in SSc end-target tissues, a set of putative therapeutic targets for modulating SSc, and a framework for multi-tissue functional genomic studies of complex human disease.
Project description:Systemic sclerosis is a disease where microcirculation damage is critical in their beginning and vascular complications have similar pathogenic findings. Digital ulcers are a frequent complication in systemic sclerosis patients and pulmonary hypertension is one of the leading causes of death. The use of bosentan has been shown to be useful for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension and to prevent new digital ulcers. However, is unknown if bosentan can prevent pulmonary hypertension. Our objective was to determine if bosentan is useful to prevent pulmonary hypertension in SSc patients. A retrospective study in 237 systemic sclerosis patients with digital ulcers history treated or not with bosentan to prevent it was made. We analyzed the occurrence of pulmonary hypertension defined by an echocardiogram pulmonary arterial pressure > 40 mmHg in the entire cohort. Demographic, clinical, and treatment variables were recorded for all patients. Statistical significance was denoted by p values < 0.05. Fifty-nine patients were treated with bosentan a median of 34 months. 13.8% of treated patients had pulmonary hypertension vs 23.7% of untreated patients (p 0.13) during the follow up. In multivariate analysis patients not treated with bosentan had 3.9fold-increased risk of pulmonary hypertension compared with patients under bosentan treatment (p < 0.02). Moreover the percentage carbon monoxide diffusing capacity (DLCO) in bosentan treated patients did not decrease from baseline to the end of follow-up (61.8±14% vs 57±20.1%, p = 0.89). We concluded that Systemic sclerosis patients with digital ulcers treated with bosentan seems to have less risk to develop pulmonary hypertension and to stabilize DLCO.
Project description:BackgroundSystemic sclerosis (SSc) is associated with a variability of mortality rates in the literature.ObjectiveTo determine the mortality and its predictors in a long-term follow-up of a bi-centric cohort of SSc patients.MethodsA 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.ResultsThree 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).ConclusionLong-term data confirmed high mortality of SSc. Male sex, DLCO <70%, cardiac involvement, and CRP> 5mg/l were identified as independent predictors of mortality.
Project description:BackgroundSystemic sclerosis (SSc)-overlap syndromes are a very heterogeneous and remarkable subgroup of SSc-patients, who present at least two connective tissue diseases (CTD) at the same time, usually with a specific autoantibody status.ObjectivesTo determine whether patients, classified as overlap syndromes, show a disease course different from patients with limited SSc (lcSSc) or diffuse cutaneous SSc (dcSSc).MethodsThe data of 3240 prospectively included patients, registered in the database of the German Network for Systemic Scleroderma and followed between 2003 and 2013, were analysed.ResultsAmong 3240 registered patients, 10% were diagnosed as SSc-overlap syndrome. Of these, 82.5% were female. SSc-overlap patients had a mean age of 48±1.2 years and carried significantly more often 'other antibodies' (68.0%; p<0.0001), including anti-U1RNP, -PmScl, -Ro, -La, as well as anti-Jo-1 and -Ku antibodies. These patients developed musculoskeletal involvement earlier and more frequently (62.5%) than patients diagnosed as lcSSc (32.2%) or dcSSc (43.3%) (p<0.0001). The onset of lung fibrosis and heart involvement in SSc-overlap patients was significantly earlier than in patients with lcSSc and occurred later than in patients with dcSSc. Oesophagus, kidney and PH progression was similar to lcSSc patients, whereas dcSSc patients had a significantly earlier onset.ConclusionsThese data support the concept that SSc-overlap syndromes should be regarded as a separate SSc subset, distinct from lcSSc and dcSSc, due to a different progression of the disease, different proportional distribution of specific autoantibodies, and of different organ involvement.
Project description:AimSystemic sclerosis is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. It remains unclear from the literature if there are differences between the subtypes of systemic sclerosis and the rate of hospitalization. Our study investigates the rates of all types of hospitalizations between limited and diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis.MethodsPatients have been collected prospectively using the European Scleroderma Trials and Research Group database at the Waikato Hospital, and were screened for inclusion criteria. Data were collected retrospectively on hospitalizations (total, acute, elective and infusion-related) for all patients.ResultsOverall, 140 patients were included in the analysis with 84 (60.0%) with limited cutaneous systemic sclerosis, 40 (28.6%) with diffuse systemic sclerosis, 3 (2.1%) with systemic sclerosis sine scleroderma and 13 (9.3%) with overlap syndrome. The mean number of total hospitalizations in 12 months was 0.9 (SD 3.0) for patients with limited disease versus 1.7 (SD 3.0) for diffuse disease (p = 0.062). The mean number of acute hospitalizations in 12 months was 0.6 (SD 1.3) for limited and 1.2 (SD 2.4) for diffuse (p = 0.061). Patients with diffuse systemic sclerosis were more likely to be admitted for reasons relating to systemic sclerosis than patients with limited disease (p < 0.001).ConclusionDiffuse and limited systemic sclerosis subtypes appear to have similar rates of hospitalizations though there is a trend in favour of diffuse disease towards more total and acute hospitalizations. There are clear differences in causes of hospitalization between the two main subgroups.
Project description:ObjectivesTo investigate the course of interstitial lung disease (ILD) and the effects of nintedanib in patients with limited cutaneous systemic sclerosis (lcSSc).MethodsIn the SENSCIS trial, patients with SSc-ILD were randomized to receive nintedanib or placebo. Patients who completed the SENSCIS trial were eligible to enter SENSCIS-ON, in which all patients received open-label nintedanib.ResultsAmong 277 patients with lcSSc treated in the SENSCIS trial, the rate (s.e.) of decline in forced vital capacity (FVC; ml/year) over 52 weeks was -74.5 (19.2) in the placebo group and -49.1 (19.8) in the nintedanib group (difference: 25.3 [95% CI -28.9, 79.6]). Among 249 patients with data at week 52, mean (s.e.) change in FVC at week 52 was -86.4 (21.1) ml in the placebo group and -39.1 (22.2) ml in the nintedanib group. Among 183 patients with lcSSc who participated in SENSCIS-ON and had data at week 52, mean (s.e.) change in FVC from baseline to week 52 of SENSCIS-ON was -41.5 (24.0) ml in patients who took placebo in the SENSCIS trial and initiated nintedanib in SENSCIS-ON and -45.1 (19.1) ml in patients who took nintedanib in the SENSCIS trial and continued it in SENSCIS-ON.ConclusionPatients with lcSSc may develop progressive fibrosing ILD. By targeting pulmonary fibrosis, nintedanib slows decline in lung function in patients with lcSSc and ILD.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov (https://clinicaltrials.gov), NCT02597933 and NCT03313180.
Project description:ObjectivesTo examine the treatment decision-making process of patients with dcSSc in the context of haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT).MethodsA qualitative semi-structured interview study was done in patients before or after HSCT, or patients who chose another treatment than HSCT. Thematic analysis was used. Shared decision-making (SDM) was assessed with the 9-item Shared Decision Making Questionnaire (SDM-Q-9).ResultsTwenty-five patients [16 male/nine female, median age 47 (range 27-68) years] were interviewed: five pre-HSCT, 16 post-HSCT and four following other treatment. Whereas the SDM-Q-9 showed the decision-making process was perceived as shared [median score 81/100 (range 49-100)], we learned from the interviews that the decision was predominantly made by the rheumatologist, and patients were often steered towards a treatment option. Strong guidance of the rheumatologist was appreciated because of a lack of accessible, reliable and SSc-specific information, due to the approach of the decision-making process of the rheumatologist, the large consequence of the decision and the trust in their doctor. Expectations of outcomes and risks also differed between patients. Furthermore, more than half of patients felt they had no choice but to go for HSCT, due to rapid deterioration of health and the perception of HSCT as 'the holy grail'.ConclusionThis is the first study that provides insight into the decision-making process in dcSSc. This process is negatively impacted by a lack of disease-specific education about treatment options. Additionally, we recommend exploring patients' preferences and understanding of the illness to optimally guide decision-making and to provide tailor-made information.
Project description:ObjectiveTo evaluate the evidence concerning systemic pharmacological treatments for SSc digital ulcers (DUs) to inform the development of evidence-based treatment guidelines.MethodsA systematic literature review of seven databases was performed to identify all original research studies of adult patients with SSc DUs. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and prospective longitudinal observational studies (OBSs) were eligible for inclusion. Data were extracted, applying the patient, intervention, comparison, outcome framework, and risk of bias (RoB) was assessed. Due to study heterogeneity, narrative summaries were used to present data.ResultsForty-seven studies that evaluated the treatment efficacy or safety of pharmacological therapies were identified among 4250 references. Data from 18 RCTs of 1927 patients and 29 OBSs of 661 patients, at various RoB (total 2588 patients) showed that i.v. iloprost, phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors and atorvastatin are effective for the treatment of active DUs. Bosentan reduced the rate of future DUs in two RCTs (moderate RoB) and eight OBSs at low to high RoB. Two small studies (moderate RoB) indicate that Janus kinase inhibitors may be effective for the treatment of active DUs, otherwise there are no data to support the use of immunosuppression or anti-platelet agents in the management of DUs.ConclusionThere are several systemic treatments, across four medication classes, that are effective therapies for the management of SSc DUs. However, a lack of robust data means it is not possible to define the optimal treatment regimen for SSc DUs. The relatively low quality of evidence available has highlighted further areas of research need.
Project description:IntroductionLimited cutaneous systemic sclerosis (lcSSc) is the most frequent subset of systemic sclerosis. Despite this, lcSSc is not the major focus of clinical studies. The lack of interventional studies in lcSSc is due, in part, to a paucity of relevant outcome measures to effectively evaluate this subset. A combined response index dedicated to lcSSc would facilitate development of well-designed trials and approval of new drugs. The objective of this scoping review is to perform a broad and comprehensive identification of the outcome measures (core set items) within relevant domains, which have been used so far to assess lcSSc.Methods and analysisThe planned scoping review will be based on the approach proposed by Arksey et al and further developed by Levac et al. Development and reporting will follow the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses-Extension for Scoping Reviews checklist and guidelines. The development of the search strategy was guided by the concepts of domains and outcomes based on the Outcome Measures in Rheumatology approach and by the different names and definitions of SSc, with a specific emphasis on their occurrence in clinical trial studies. Two databases will be searched: MEDLINE and Embase. Studies in English, published from the year 1988 onwards, will be included, since 1988 corresponds to the publication of LeRoy's first consensus definition of lcSSc. Data will be extracted and analysed using a standardised charting tool.Ethics and disseminationNo ethical approval is required for this study. The results will be submitted to an international peer-reviewed journal and scientific conferences, informing the discussion on which items should be included in a combined response index dedicated to lcSSc (the CRISTAL project: Combined Response Index for Scleroderma Trial Assessing lcSSc).