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Assessment of kidney involvement
V D Steen1, M D Mayes, P A Merkel
1Georgetown University School of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 3800 Reservoir Road, LL Gorman, Washington, DC 20007, USA. Steenv@georgetown.edu
Clinical and Experimental Rheumatology
|August 2, 2003
Summary
Scleroderma renal crisis (SRC) is a key kidney complication in systemic sclerosis (SSc), especially with diffuse skin disease. Monitoring blood pressure, creatinine, and urine is crucial for early detection and reporting new hypertension cases.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Rheumatology
- Internal Medicine
Background:
- Scleroderma renal crisis (SRC) is the primary kidney manifestation of systemic sclerosis (SSc).
- SRC predominantly affects patients with early, rapidly progressive, diffuse cutaneous SSc.
- Accurate diagnosis relies on specific clinical and laboratory markers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To define the essential variables for detecting Scleroderma renal crisis.
- To emphasize the importance of reporting new-onset hypertension in SSc patients, even without SRC.
Main Methods:
- Assessment of core variables including arterial blood pressure.
- Serum creatinine level monitoring.
- Urinalysis for kidney abnormalities.
Main Results:
- SRC detection hinges on evaluating arterial blood pressure, serum creatinine, and urinalysis.
- New-onset hypertension in SSc patients warrants documentation in clinical studies.
Conclusions:
- Systematic monitoring of blood pressure, serum creatinine, and urinalysis is vital for identifying SRC in SSc patients.
- Clinical reporting standards should include new-onset hypertension in SSc, irrespective of SRC development.