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Cardiopulmonary involvement in juvenile systemic sclerosis: development of recommendations for screening and investigation

Introduction

There are currently no agreed recommendations on how to investigate children for cardiopulmonary involvement in Juvenile Systemic Sclerosis (JSSc). The aim of screening is to detect disease early to facilitate early aggressive therapy and improve outcomes. Cardiopulmonary involvement is the leading cause of death in JSSc and cardiopulmonary at diagnosis incurs a worse outcome [1]. Most deaths occur early in the disease course [1, 2].

Objectives

To develop recommendations for investigation of cardiopulmonary in JSSc, based on paediatric evidence and where this was lacking, consensus expert agreement.

Methods

Members of the PRES Scleroderma Working Group were invited to participate; additionally a paediatric cardiologist was invited. A nominal group technique was used. 75% consensus was defined as agreement.

Results

Table 1 shows the recommendations for screening for cardiopulmonary at baseline and at defined time points from diagnosis. Other recommendations agreed by the group which are relevant at any stage in the disease course are as follows (in Table 1).

Table 1 Recommendations for screening for cardiopulmonary involvement in JSSc at baseline and follow-up (75% consensus defined as agreement)

Recommendations are based on low grade evidence and in the most part from expert consensus opinion with extrapolation from adult studies.

Conclusion

JSSc has a significant mortality particularly early on in the disease course. The objective of an aggressive screening program is to identify cardiopulmonary involvement at a stage which may be amenable to treatment. The recommendations developed by this group aim to standardise care and improve outcomes in this rare disease.

Disclosure of interest

None declared

Abbreviations

BP:

blood pressure

ECG:

electrocardiogram

ECHO:

echocardiogram

MRI:

magnetic resonance imaging

HRCT:

high resolution computerised tomography

PFT DLCO:

pulmonary function tests with diffusion capacity of lung for carbon monoxide

6MWT:

6 minute walk test

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Pain, C., Constantin, T., Baildam, E. et al. Cardiopulmonary involvement in juvenile systemic sclerosis: development of recommendations for screening and investigation. Pediatr Rheumatol 12 (Suppl 1), P150 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1186/1546-0096-12-S1-P150

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/1546-0096-12-S1-P150

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