Systemic sclerosis patients face overlapping cardiac and renal complications, with natriuretic peptides serving as key biomarkers for assessing cardiorenal involvement.
CKD independently linked to mortalityChronic kidney disease is common in systemic sclerosis patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension and independently predicts worse outcomes
What the researchers found
Cardiorenal involvement is a major driver of morbidity and mortality in systemic sclerosis, with CKD commonly present at PAH diagnosis and independently associated with mortality.
Why it matters
SSc patients often have overlapping organ damage that is difficult to untangle. Recognizing the cardiorenal connection and using appropriate biomarkers can improve risk stratification and treatment timing.
The numbers in context
Reviews troponin, BNP, NT-proBNP, creatinine, cystatin C, NGAL, and galectin-3 as cardiorenal biomarkers in SSc. Type 2 cardiorenal syndrome (CKD from chronic HF) discussed.
How the study worked
Review article examining cardiac and renal complications in systemic sclerosis, focusing on biomarker assessment including natriuretic peptides.
Who was studied
Systemic sclerosis patients with cardiorenal involvement
What this study cannot tell us
Review article — does not present new clinical data. SSc is heterogeneous, and cardiorenal involvement varies significantly between patients.
How to read the evidence
Review article synthesizing existing literature on cardiorenal involvement in SSc. Provides clinical framework but no new data.
When this study was published
Published in 2025, reflecting current understanding of cardiorenal interactions in systemic sclerosis.
The bigger picture
The cardiorenal axis is increasingly recognized as critical in autoimmune diseases. Understanding how heart and kidney damage interact in SSc could improve management of other autoimmune conditions as well.
Questions still open
- Should SSc patients be routinely screened for subclinical kidney disease at PAH diagnosis?
- Can early intervention targeting both cardiac and renal pathways improve SSc outcomes?
Common questions
Why do systemic sclerosis patients develop heart and kidney problems?
What role do natriuretic peptides play in SSc monitoring?
Read the original research
Assessment of Cardiorenal Involvement in Systemic Sclerosis Patients.
Biomolecules, 15(9)
Citation
Pellicano, Chiara; D'Ippolito, Giancarlo; Villa, Annalisa; Martellucci, Ottavio; Basile, Umberto; Carnazzo, Valeria; Basile, Valerio; Rosato, Edoardo; Marino, Mariapaola; Gigante, Antonietta. (2025). Assessment of Cardiorenal Involvement in Systemic Sclerosis Patients.. Biomolecules, 15(9). https://doi.org/10.3390/biom15091297