Role of kinurenic acid in the systemic sclerosis renal involvement.

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) subclinical renal vasculopathy is characterized by progressive increase of intrarenal stiffness and reduction of parenchymal thickness due to post ischemic fibrosis secondary to the renal Raynaud phenomenon. Aims of this study were to evaluate kinurenic acid (KYNA) serum level in SSc patients and healthy controls (HC) and to assess the role of KYNA in SSc subclinical nephropathy. Serum level of KYNA was evaluated in 52 SSc patients and 20 HC, matched for sex and age.

In systemic sclerosis, the TAPSE/sPAP ratio can be used in addition to the DETECT algorithm for pulmonary arterial hypertension diagnosis.

Objective: Early detection of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is crucial for improving patient outcomes. The aim of this study was to compare the positive predictive value (PPV) of the echocardiography-derived tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion/systolic pulmonary artery pressure (TAPSE/sPAP) ratio with that of the DETECT algorithm for PAH screening in a cohort of SSc patients.

Methods: Fifty-one SSc patients were screened for PAH using the DETECT algorithm and echocardiography.

Color Doppler Ultrasonography of digital arteries and digital ulcers development in systemic sclerosis.

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of Color Doppler Ultrasonography (CDUS) of proper palmar digital arteries (PPDA) as predictive marker of new digital ulcers (DUs) in systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients during 5 years follow-up.

Methods: 36 SSc patients were examined using nailfold videocapillaroscopy (NVC) and CDUS of PPDA.

Results: Fourteen (38.

Metabolic syndrome and adipokine levels in systemic lupus erythematosus and systemic sclerosis.

Introduction: Aims of study were to evaluate the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients and to evaluate serum level of adipokines in SLE and SSc patients with and without MetS.

Methods: Fifty SLE patients and 85 SSc patients were enrolled. The diagnosis of MetS was made according to the criteria of the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) Adult Treatment Panel III.

Circulating NT-proANP level is a predictor of mortality for systemic sclerosis: a retrospective study of an Italian cohort.

: The authors aimed to evaluate the role of N-terminal proANP (NT-proANP) and of NT-proBNP circulating levels as predictive markers of death due to systemic sclerosis (SSc).: The authors retrospectively enrolled 51 SSc patients. At baseline, NT-proBNP and NT-proANP circulating levels and clinical features were collected.

Mycophenolate Mofetil Improves Exercise Tolerance in Systemic Sclerosis Patients with Interstitial Lung Disease: A Pilot Study.

Introduction: Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is an autoimmune disease characterized by the overproduction of collagen leading to fibrosis of the skin and internal organs. Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is one of the major causes of death in patients with SSc. Exercise tolerance can be investigated by cardio-pulmonary exercise testing (CPET).

Factors affecting vitamin D deficiency in active inflammatory bowel diseases.

Background: Hypovitaminosis D is prevalent in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and may be associated with disease activity.

Aim: This study evaluated vitamin D (VitD) status in an Italian cohort of IBD patients, not taking VitD supplementation. We investigated risk factors for VitD deficiency and its correlation with disease activity.