Nutritional disorders and nutrition-related conditions: an underestimated clinical problem in systemic sclerosis.

Nutritional disorders are significant but often underestimated complications in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). The most prevalent nutritional disorders in SSc are malnutrition, affecting up to 62.5% of patients, and sarcopenia, with a frequency of up to 42%.

High-Protein Nutritional Supplements Improve Nutritional Status in Malnourished Patients with Systemic Sclerosis.

(1) Background: Impaired nutritional status in systemic sclerosis (SSc) is prevalent. (2) Objective: This study aimed to identify pre-cachexia and malnutrition in SSc patients and to estimate the effectiveness of a high-protein oral nutritional supplement (ONS) in improving their nutritional status. (3) Materials and methods: The SSc population comprised 56 patients and a control group of 49 healthy persons.

A phase 2 trial investigating the efficacy and safety of the mPGES-1 inhibitor vipoglanstat in systemic sclerosis-related Raynaud's.

Objective: Our objective was to test the hypothesis, in a double-blind, placebo-controlled study that vipoglanstat, an inhibitor of microsomal prostaglandin E synthase-1 (mPGES-1) which decreases prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and increases prostacyclin biosynthesis, improves RP.

Methods: Patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) and ≥7 RP attacks during the last screening week prior to a baseline visit were randomised to four weeks treatment with vipoglanstat 120 mg or placebo. A daily electronic diary captured RP attacks (duration and pain) and Raynaud's Condition Score, with change in RP attacks/week as primary end point.

Clinical Impact of Vertical Artifacts Changing with Frequency in Lung Ultrasound.

Background: This study concerns the application of lung ultrasound (LUS) for the evaluation of the significance of vertical artifact changes with frequency and pleural line abnormalities in differentiating pulmonary edema from pulmonary fibrosis.

Study Design And Methods: The study was designed as a diagnostic test. Having qualified patients for the study, an ultrasound examination was performed, consistent with a predetermined protocol, and employing convex and linear transducers.

Metabolic Pattern of Systemic Sclerosis: Association of Changes in Plasma Concentrations of Amino Acid-Related Compounds With Disease Presentation.

Objective: Amino acids (AA) and their derivatives play an integral role in the synthesis of structural and regulatory elements in human organisms and therefore pathologies such as systemic sclerosis that may alter the blood pattern of these compounds. This study aimed to evaluate changes in plasma concentrations of amino acid-related metabolites in systemic sclerosis in a search for potential biomarkers and mechanisms of the disease.

Methods: Plasma samples from 42 patients diagnosed with systemic sclerosis (SSc) according to the 2013 American College of Rheumatology and European League Against Rheumatism ACR/EULAR classification criteria were compared to 27 matched healthy controls.

Prevalence of malnutrition in systemic sclerosis patients assessed by different diagnostic tools.

Gastrointestinal complaints of scleroderma (SS) patients are risk factors for impaired nutritional status, so insightful assessment is necessary. The aim was comparison of malnutrition rates in SS patients using different tools. Nutritional status was assessed using 7-SGA and SNAQ in 56 patients (47F, 9M) with SS.

[Macrophage activation syndrome: report on three cases].

The macrophage activation syndrome (MAS) is a rare and potentially fatal disease. This syndrome is founded on congenital or acquired dysfunction of NK cells resulting in secondary activation and proliferation of macrophages with excessive cytokine production and organ infiltration. Causes of acquired MAS include viral infections (chiefly EBV and CMV), malignancies, and autoimmune diseases.