THU0358 DEVELOPMENT OF A SET OF ASAS QUALITY STANDARDS FOR ADULTS WITH AXIAL SPONDYLOARTHRITIS

Abstract

Results: Among the 75 patients 42 (59.2%) had a diffuse cutaneous form of SSc (dSSc) and 64 (85.3%) were female; in SSc patients the mean age was 53±12.1 yrs and the mean disease duration 10.1± 2.3 yrs. 36 (52.2%) patients had positive SCl70, 31 (44.9%) ACA, and 2 (2.9%) anti-RNA pol III. Compared to controls, SSc patients had higher Ea (2.28 vs 0.95 mmHg/ml, p=0.003) and Ees (3.95 vs 2.98 mmHg/ml, p=0.05), and increased diastolic stiffness (Eed) (0.210 vs 0.146 mmHg/ml, p=0.01). VAC was consequently comparable to controls. SSc patients affected with dcSSc had a lower Ees (2.90 vs 4.367, p<0.001) and Eed (0.24 vs 0.17, p=0.032) and a higher VAC (0.52 vs 0.70, p=0.01) compared to lSSc. No differences were found between patients with anti-Scl70 and ACA. At 10 years, 23% of patients was hospitalized for at least one cardiovascular event. The analysis of survival free hospitalization or death in all SSc patients demonstrated a worse outcome and poor prognosis in patients with an altered VAC (31, 47.7%) compared to those with a normal VAC (34, 52.3%) (Figure 1). Abstract THU0357-Figure 1 Conclusion: Our study suggests that both ventricular and arterial stifness may be increased in SSc patients without signs and symptoms of heart disease. Since VAC seems to have a prognostic role in the prediction of cardiovascular events in SSc, it could be helpful to define an early therapeutic strategy to prevent or delay cardiac manifestations in these patients.