Pulmonary arterial hypertension associated with connective tissue disease: meta-analysis of clinical trials.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

Few studies have focused on pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) associated with connective tissue diseases (CTDs). The optimal treatment for CTD-PAH has yet to be established.

Design

Meta-analysis of the data from evaluations of treatment for PAH generally (19 studies) and CTD-PAH specifically (nine studies) to compare the effects of pulmonary vasodilative PAH agents. MEDLINE, EMBASE and BIOSIS were searched. English-language full-text articles published between January 1990 and August 2012 were eligible.

Setting

International.

Participants

Patients with PAH generally (n=3073) and CTD-PAH specifically (n=678).

Primary outcome measure

Exercise capacity (6 min walk distance, 6 MWD).

Results

Patients with PAH (all forms) had mean age 32-

SUBMITTER: Kuwana M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3733303 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature