Early detection of renal vascular impairment in systemic sclerosis

Abstract EN

This study was conducted on 15 Systemic Sclerosis (SSc) normotensive patients.

They had apparently normal renal function as proved by serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen.

Seven normal volunteers matched for age, sex and blood pressure served as a control group.

The Resistance Index (RI) was determined through colour flow Doppler ultrasonography for every patient and control on the 3 main vascular sites (main renal, interlobar and cortical arteries).

In SSc, the RI showed a statistically significant increase at all 3 vascular sites as compared to the control group p <0.05).

There was a significant positive correlation between the disease duration and the RI at different sites.

Also, there was a highly significant positive correlation between the RI of the main renal artery and both interlobar and cortical vessels.

There was no correlation between kidney function parameters (serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen) and RI for the three sites of vessels We concluded that colour flow Doppler ultrasonography is a sensitive and non-invasive technique for early detection of renal vascular impairment in SSc.

We recommend using this diagnostic modality for periodic evaluation of patients with SSc.