NT-proBNP levels in systemic sclerosis: association with clinical and laboratory abnormalities

To identify factors related to NT-proBNP levels in systemic sclerosis (SSc).

NT-proBNP was measured in 119 patients with SSc and 20 controls. Patients with transtricuspid gradient (TG) > or =36 mm Hg or > or =31 mmHg plus dyspnea were considered to have suspected systemic sclerosis-associated pulmonary arterial hypertension (SScPAH).

Increasing age, NYHA functional class, skin score, history of systemic arterial hypertension (SAH), anticentromere antibodies, diastolic dysfunction, reduced pulmonary diffusing capacity, and TG were positively associated with NT-proBNP. In multivariable linear regression, TG, age, and SAH were independently associated to NT-proBNP levels. An ROC curve analysis (with an area under the curve of 0.89, 95% CI: 0.83-0.95) suggested a cutoff of 157.8pg/mL to identify patients with suspected SScPAH, presenting a sensitivity of 100% (78.1-100) and specificity of 72.3% (62.3-80.5).

NT-proBNP levels are related to clinical and laboratory abnormalities in SSc. The results indicate that NT-proBNP may be a useful tool in the evaluation of SScPAH.