AB1228 TIME LAG FROM THE ONSET OF RAYNAUD’S PHENOMENON TO SYSTEMIC MANIFESTATIONS IN SYSTEMIC SCLEROSIS PATIENTS OF A RACIALLY DIVERSE POPULATION (2024)

Abstract

Background: Systemic Sclerosis (SSc) is an autoimmune disease characterized by vasculopathy and organ fibrosis leading to visceral damage. It is further classified as limited or diffuse SSc based on cutaneous involvement. Both limited and diffuse SSc are associated with systemic manifestations, such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and interstitial lung disease (ILD). Raynaud phenomenon (RP) is seen in the majority of SSc patients and can precede systemic manifestations by years. There is limited literature on how this disease affects minority populations.

Objectives: We aimed to compare the time lag from the onset of RP to systemic manifestations in patients with SSc in a racially diverse population.

Methods: After institutional review board (IRB) approval, we queried electronic medical records at our institution between 1990-2021 identifying patients with SSc. Patients ≥ 18 years of age who met 2013 ACR classification criteria for systemic sclerosis were included. Clinical, laboratory and imaging data were extracted by retrospective chart review. Systemic manifestations of SSc were defined as instances of GERD and ILD. Time between the onset of RP and the onset of systemic manifestations was compared between limited and diffuse SSc patients. Statistical analysis was performed using two-sample t-test for continuous and fisher’s exact test for categorical variables.

Conclusion: Our racially diverse cohort highlighted the disease manifestations of a largely Hispanic and female population of SSc patients. On average, it took longer for patients with limited SSc to develop systemic manifestations than diffuse SSc, which is consistent with current trends. Interestingly, it took a similar amount of time to diagnose ILD in both populations, compared with current trends of earlier ILD diagnosis in diffuse SSc. Social determinants of health may have played a role in timing of disease diagnosis, particularly in our minority population. Our study reinforces the vast disease spectrum that exists for SSc patients, underscores the burden of systemic disease manifestations, and emphasizes the importance of early screening for systemic manifestations in these patients to reduce morbidity and mortality.

Acknowledgements: NIL.

Disclosure of Interests: None declared.