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Updated: Jul 20, 2026
06:43
Quantitative Analysis and Characterization of Atherosclerotic Lesions in the Murine Aortic Sinus
Published on: December 7, 2013
Angiographically proven coronary artery disease in scleroderma
M R Akram1, C E Handler, M Williams
1Department of Cardiology, Royal Free Hospital, London, NW3 2QG, UK.
Rheumatology (Oxford, England)
|April 12, 2006
Summary
Coronary artery disease (CAD) prevalence in scleroderma (SSc) patients is similar to the general population. This study found no increased risk of CAD in SSc individuals, challenging previous assumptions.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Rheumatology
- Vascular Medicine
Background:
- Macrovascular disease is hypothesized to be more prevalent in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc).
- Investigating coronary artery disease (CAD) prevalence in SSc is crucial for understanding associated risks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of significant coronary artery disease (CAD) in patients with scleroderma (SSc).
- To compare CAD rates in SSc patients with predicted rates using the Diamond and Forrester (D & F) probability analysis.
Main Methods:
- Coronary angiography was performed on 172 SSc patients with suspected CAD.
- Prevalence was analyzed by age, gender, and symptom type (typical angina, atypical angina, non-anginal pain/breathlessness).
- Standardized prevalence ratios (SPRs) were calculated and compared to a reference population.
Main Results:
- Overall CAD prevalence was 22% (38/172), with 17% in males and 23% in females.
- SPRs for CAD were 47% (typical angina), 50% (atypical angina), and 93% (non-anginal pain/breathlessness) compared to the reference population.
- The study excluded 41 patients outside the D & F analysis age range (30-69 yrs).
Conclusions:
- The prevalence of coronary artery disease (CAD) in scleroderma (SSc) patients is not greater than in individuals without SSc.
- Findings suggest that SSc does not confer an increased risk for developing CAD.
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