N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide in systemic sclerosis: new insights.

OBJECTIVE

To identify the relation between serum levels of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-pro BNP) and severity of systemic sclerosis (SSc).

SUBJECT AND METHODS

25 SSc patients and 25 age- and sex-matched healthy controls were included. Assay of serum NT-pro BNP was done for all patients and controls. Patients were subjected to modified Rodnan skin score (mRss), echocardiography, pulmonary function tests and skin biopsies for histopathological skin thickness score assessment. There was a significant increase in the mean values of serum levels of NT- pro BNP in SSc patients compared to controls (t=11, p<0.001).

RESULTS

There was a significant positive correlation between serum levels of NT-pro BNP in SSc patients and mRss, systolic pulmonary artery pressure (sPAP) and histopathological skin thickness score (r=0.93, r=0.92, r=0.92, p<0.001 respectively). There was a significant increase in the mean value of serum levels of NT-pro BNP and sPAP in SSc patients with restrictive pulmonary affection compared to those with normal respiratory function tests (p<0.001).

CONCLUSION

NT-pro BNP may be a useful biological marker for assessing the severity of SSc as it has a role in detecting the extent of skin fibrosis, the severity of PAH and the degree of restricted pulmonary involvement in SSc patients.