Assessment of Pulmonary Artery Hypertension in Patients with Limited and Diffuse Systemic Sclerosis

Objective: To assess the pulmonary artery hypertension in patients with limited and diffuse Systemic Sclerosis upon presentation. Material and methods: This cross sectional study was conducted at Department of Rheumatology & Immunology, Shaikh Zayed Hospital, Lahore from 05-02-2108 to 04-10-2018. Total 61 patients with systemic sclerosis having age between 18-56 years either male or female and with duration of systemic sclerosis 1-20 years were selected. Pulmonary hypertension was assessed in selected patients. Results: Mean age of the patients was 32.49 +/- 8.88 years and mean duration of systemic sclerosis was 4.00 +/- 3.92 years. Out of 61 patients of systemic sclerosis, pulmonary hypertension was observed in 18 (30%) patients. Pulmonary hypertension was found in 11 (31.43%) patients of limited systemic sclerosis and in 7 (26.92%) patients of diffused systemic sclerosis. Pulmonary hypertension was found in 5 (83.33%) male patients and in 13 (23.64%) female patients. Pulmonary hypertension was significantly (P = 0.0070) associated with gender. Conclusion: Results of present study showed a higher percentage of PAH. Development of PAH is not significantly associated with type of SSC. No association of PAH with age and duration of disease was found. Most of female patients were victim of SSC as compared to male patients, but male patients were found with significantly higher rate of PAH.