Body composition and bone status in relation to microvascular damage in systemic sclerosis patients

Area of Science:

• Rheumatology and Immunology
• Vascular Biology
• Bone Metabolism

Background:

• Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a complex autoimmune disease characterized by microvascular damage.
• Peripheral microcirculation abnormalities, assessed via nailfold videocapillaroscopy (NVC), are a hallmark of SSc.
• The impact of microvascular status on body composition and bone health in SSc is not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between peripheral microcirculatory conditions in Systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients and their body composition and bone status.
• To analyze body composition and bone mineral density (BMD) based on different nailfold videocapillaroscopy (NVC) patterns ('Early', 'Active', 'Late').

Main Methods:

• Dual X-ray absorptiometry was used to assess body composition and BMD in 37 female SSc patients and 40 healthy controls.
• Patients were classified according to 2013 EULAR/ACR criteria and categorized by NVC patterns.
• Statistical analyses included t-tests, ANOVA, Kruskal-Wallis, and chi-square tests to compare parameters across groups.

Main Results:

• Systemic sclerosis patients showed a higher prevalence of vertebral and femoral osteoporosis compared to controls.
• Patients with the 'Late' NVC pattern exhibited significantly higher rates of vertebral and femoral osteoporosis.
• Lower BMD was observed at the total spine and femoral neck in patients with advanced microvascular damage, alongside reduced lean mass, particularly in upper limbs.

Conclusions:

• Systemic sclerosis patients with severe microvascular damage display significantly altered body composition and bone status.
• These findings suggest a strong association between microvascular dysfunction and detrimental effects on muscle and bone health in SSc.
• NVC patterns can serve as an indicator for assessing bone and body composition risks in SSc patients.