Survival and factors influencing survival in systemic sclerosis patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension

  • piyaporn sirijanchune chiangrai prachanukroh hospital
  • Panomkorn Lhakum
  • Nonlawan Chueamuangphan

Abstract

OBJECTIVE

To assess the survival rates of individuals diagnosed with systemic sclerosis (SSc) and pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), while also identifying factors that may be associated with increased mortality.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective unmatched case-control study using data from systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients with associated pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) at Chiangrai Prachanukroh Hospital, Thailand, covering the period from January 2012 to March 2023. We gathered information on patient characteristics, clinical presentation, laboratory results, and administered treatments. The primary endpoint of our investigation was the survival status of the patients.

RESULTS

There were 112 patients with Sac and PAH included in the analysis with the median survival time was 48 months withe the 5-year survival rate was 48.21% (95% confidence interval [CI], 38.71 to 57.08). Among these, 58 patients (51.7%) died. In our multivariable Cox regression analysis, we identified several factors associated with differing mortality rates. Specifically, New York Heart Association Classification (NYHC) III-IV was strongly associated with a higher mortality rate (adjusted hazard ratio [AHR] 10.02; 95% confidence interval [CI], 4.88 to 20.57; P<0.001), as was hemoglobin levels below 10 g/dL (AHR, 7.67; 95% CI, 3.97 to 14.82; P<0.001), and the presence of moderate pericardial effusion (AHR, 10.29; 95% CI, 1.65 to 64.08; P=0.012). In contrast, patients with stage 3 chronic kidney disease exhibited a lower mortality rate (AHR, 0.15; 95% CI, 0.03 to 0.78; P=0.023).

CONCLUSION

In our study, we observed a relatively high 5-year survival rate, which contrasts with findings from other studies. Our analysis revealed that individuals classified as NYHC III-IV, those with hemoglobin levels below 10 g/dL, and those with moderate pericardial effusion experienced a significantly higher mortality rate. Conversely, patients in CKD stage 3 demonstrated a lower mortality rate in our study.

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Published
2023-09-27
How to Cite
sirijanchune, piyaporn, Lhakum, P., & Chueamuangphan, N. (2023). Survival and factors influencing survival in systemic sclerosis patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension. The Clinical Academia, 47(3), 79-88. Retrieved from https://journal.axiomlaboratory.com/index.php/theclinicalacademia/article/view/50

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