Arterial hypertension in systemic sclerosis

Introduction
Arterial hypertension (AH) is common in systemic connective tissue diseases.

Aim
To evaluate the incidence of AH in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) and to present clinical characteristics of the group diagnosed with AH.

Material and methods
The study involved 108 patients with SSc divided into two groups: with AH (+) – 45 and AH (–) – 63. Moreover, the serological profile, scleroderma renal crisis, involvement of internal organs and mortality were determined. The kidney function was assessed based on creatinine concentration and the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR).

Results
AH was diagnosed in 47/108 SSc patients (41.7%). The age difference among patients was statistically significant and was higher in the AH (+) SSc group (p = 0.026). The incidences of oesophageal involvement (p = 0.011), digital ulcerations (p = 0.017), and mortality (p = 0.019) were found to be significantly higher in the AH (+) SSc group. Scleroderma renal crisis was observed in 9/108 patients (8.3%). The incidence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) was higher in the AH (+) SSc group, both of stage 2 (p = 0.013) and 3 (p = 0.07). Stages 4 and 5 of CKD were found only in the group with AH. Moreover, this group had a higher incidence of elevated uric acid (p = 0.007).

Conclusions
AH is relatively common in patients with SSc and is associated with a significantly more severe course of the disease and higher frequency of renal involvement.