Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 1, 2026

Imaging Features of Systemic Sclerosis-Associated Interstitial Lung Disease
04:44

Imaging Features of Systemic Sclerosis-Associated Interstitial Lung Disease

Published on: June 16, 2020

Macrovascular disease in systemic sclerosis: the tip of an iceberg?

J J F Belch1, S McSwiggan, C Lau

  • 1Vascular and Inflammatory Diseases Research Unit, Ninewells Hospital, Tayside, Scotland, UK. J.J.F.Belch@dundee.ac.uk

Rheumatology (Oxford, England)
|September 17, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Premature death occurs in systemic sclerosis (SSc). Interstitial lung disease is now the leading cause of SSc-related mortality, with cardiovascular disease also significantly contributing.

Area of Science:

  • Rheumatology
  • Cardiology
  • Pulmonology

Background:

  • Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a multisystem autoimmune disease.
  • Mortality in SSc patients has been a significant concern.
  • Understanding the evolving causes of death is crucial for patient management.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review and evaluate the causes of mortality in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc).
  • To analyze the changing spectrum of causes of death over the past three decades in SSc.
  • To assess the contribution of cardiovascular disease to premature mortality in SSc.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies evaluating mortality in SSc.
  • Analysis of epidemiological data on SSc-related deaths.
  • Examination of cardiovascular disease biomarkers in SSc patients.

Main Results:

  • Premature death is confirmed in the SSc population.
  • Interstitial lung disease has emerged as the most common cause of SSc-related mortality.
  • Cardiovascular disease and events are significant contributors to premature mortality, supported by biomarker evidence.

Conclusions:

  • The leading cause of death in systemic sclerosis has shifted towards interstitial lung disease.
  • Cardiovascular disease plays a substantial role in the premature mortality observed in SSc patients.
  • Further research is needed to determine if managing conventional risk factors can reduce cardiovascular disease impact in SSc.

More Related Videos

Optical Coherence Tomography Based Biomechanical Fluid-Structure Interaction Analysis of Coronary Atherosclerosis Progression13:07

Optical Coherence Tomography Based Biomechanical Fluid-Structure Interaction Analysis of Coronary Atherosclerosis Progression

Published on: January 15, 2022

Vasodilation of Isolated Vessels and the Isolation of the Extracellular Matrix of Tight-skin Mice08:09

Vasodilation of Isolated Vessels and the Isolation of the Extracellular Matrix of Tight-skin Mice

Published on: March 24, 2017

Related Concept Videos

Overview of Systemic Arteries01:11

Overview of Systemic Arteries

The human body is a complex, well-organized machine, and at the heart of its operations lies the circulatory system. This network of blood vessels, which includes systemic arteries, plays a vital role in maintaining life by transporting nutrients, oxygen, and waste products to and from cells throughout the body.
Systemic circulation is the part of the cardiovascular system that carries oxygenated blood away from the heart to the body's tissues and returns deoxygenated blood back to the heart.
Atherosclerosis I: Introduction01:30

Atherosclerosis I: Introduction

Atherosclerosis is a progressive disorder characterized by the buildup of plaques on the arterial inner wall, causing them to narrow and harden over time. These plaques comprise lipids, calcium, blood components, carbohydrates, and fibrous tissue. The process primarily affects the intima of large and medium-sized arteries, reducing blood flow in any artery.Etiology and risk factorsThe cause of atherosclerosis is multifactorial, involving a complex interplay among endothelial injury, lipid...
Assessment of the Cardiovascular System II: Inspection01:29

Assessment of the Cardiovascular System II: Inspection

Inspection is the initial step in assessing the cardiovascular system. It involves a detailed visual examination that provides crucial information about a patient's circulatory and cardiac health. This systematic process, conducted from head to toe, helps identify signs of cardiovascular conditions by observing physical appearance, skin and mucous membranes, jugular and carotid pulsations, chest symmetry, and the condition of the extremities.
Head and Neck
Peripheral Artery Disease I: Introduction01:30

Peripheral Artery Disease I: Introduction

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) predominantly results from atherosclerosis, which involves the accumulation of fatty deposits, or plaques, within the walls of arteries. This causes them to narrow and harden, significantly reducing blood flow. PAD predominantly affects the legs, particularly the arteries supplying the thighs and calves. In rare cases, it may involve other arteries, including those in the arms.Etiology of PAD:The principal cause of PAD is atherosclerosis, which results from fatty...
Multiple Sclerosis l: Introduction01:19

Multiple Sclerosis l: Introduction

Multiple sclerosis is a chronic autoimmune disease of the central nervous system (CNS) that affects the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves. It is an inflammatory demyelinating disorder and a leading cause of neurological disability in young adults.EpidemiologyMS commonly begins between 20 and 40 years of age and is twice as common in women. Its exact cause remains unclear, but genetic susceptibility contributes, with higher risk in first-degree relatives and identical twins. A greater...
Rheumatic Heart Disease I: Introduction01:23

Rheumatic Heart Disease I: Introduction

Rheumatic heart disease or RHD is a chronic condition that results from rheumatic fever, causing permanent damage to the heart valves.Etiology and Risk FactorsIt primarily arises from rheumatic fever, an inflammatory disease that can develop after untreated or inadequately treated group A streptococcal (GAS) pharyngitis. Streptococcus spreads through direct contact with oral or respiratory secretions. While the bacteria are the causative agents, factors like malnutrition, overcrowding, poor...