Circulating NT-proANP level is a predictor of mortality for systemic sclerosis: a retrospective study of an Italian cohort

ABSTRACT

Objectives: The authors aimed to evaluate the role of N-terminal proANP (NT-proANP) and of NT-proBNP circulating levels as predictive markers of death due to systemic sclerosis (SSc).

Methods: The authors retrospectively enrolled 51 SSc patients. At baseline, NT-proBNP and NT-proANP circulating levels and clinical features were collected. Date and causes of death were extracted during a 6-year follow-up.

Results: 13 SSc patients (23.2%) died for SSc complications (9 for interstitial lung disease and 4 for pulmonary arterial hypertension). The median NT-proBNP plasma level did not significantly differ (p > 0.05) in SSc patients died or alive [645 (448–1026) fmol/ml vs 592 (409–789) fmol/ml]. The median NT-proANP plasma level was significantly (p < 0.01) higher in SSc died than in SSc patients alive [4000 (2100–6722) fmol/ml vs 1640 (1381–2721) fmol/ml]. The Kaplan–Meier analysis revealed that SSc patients with increased NT-proANP level had increased mortality (p < 0.05). In the multivariate analysis, DLco [HR 0.966 (0.934–0.999), p < 0.05] and NT-proANP level [HR 1 (1–1), p < 0.05] were predictive markers of death due to SSc.

Conclusions: NT-proANP plasma level is a predictive marker of death due to SSc.

KEYWORDS:

• Interstitial lung disease
• mortality prediction
• natriuretic peptides
• pulmonary arterial hypertension
• systemic sclerosis

Reviewer disclosures

Peer reviewers on this manuscript have no relevant financial or other relationships to disclose.

Declaration of interest

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

Author contributions

All authors were involved in the conception and design, analysis and interpretation of the data; the drafting of the paper and revising it critically for intellectual content; and the final approval of the version to be published; and that all authors agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.

Additional information

Funding

This paper was not funded.