Serum markers in systemic sclerosis with cardiac involvement

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Rheumatology
• Clinical Diagnostics

Background:

• Cardiac involvement is a frequent complication of systemic sclerosis (SSc), ranging from asymptomatic to severe conditions.
• Primary SSc heart involvement (SSc-pHI) is defined as cardiac issues directly caused by SSc, distinct from other heart diseases.
• Early identification of cardiac involvement in SSc is crucial for patient management and outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the utility of serum biomarkers for diagnosing cardiac involvement in systemic sclerosis.
• To identify promising biomarkers for early detection of primary SSc heart involvement (SSc-pHI).
• To assess the role of serum biomarkers in predicting disease prognosis in SSc patients with cardiac involvement.

Main Methods:

• This narrative review systematically searched and analyzed existing literature on serum biomarkers for cardiac involvement in systemic sclerosis.
• The review focused on studies evaluating the diagnostic accuracy and prognostic value of various serum biomarkers.
• Emphasis was placed on biomarkers relevant to primary SSc heart involvement (SSc-pHI).

Main Results:

• Several serum biomarkers have demonstrated potential in identifying cardiac involvement in SSc patients, even in the absence of overt symptoms.
• Biomarkers may aid in differentiating primary SSc heart involvement (SSc-pHI) from other cardiac conditions.
• The predictive value of certain biomarkers for disease progression and prognosis is under investigation.

Conclusions:

• Serum biomarkers represent a non-invasive and efficient tool for screening and diagnosing cardiac involvement in systemic sclerosis.
• Further research is warranted to validate these biomarkers for routine clinical use in early SSc-pHI detection and prognosis.
• The integration of serum biomarkers into clinical practice could significantly improve the management of SSc patients with cardiac complications.