Evaluation of diagnostic value to Pro BNP and Uric Acid for P.HTN in patient with sclerederma

According to the importance of early detection of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) in scleroderma patients and identification of noninvasive and available methods, the present study aimed to investigate the relationship between serum uric acid and pro-BNP levels with PAH in scleroderma patients. This case-control study was performed on 112 patients with scleroderma referred to rheumatology department of Ahvaz Golestan Hospital in 2018. Patients were divided and enrolled to the study into two groups including with pulmonary hypertension (pulmonary artery systolic pressure greater than 40 mmHg) (n=38) and without pulmonary hypertension (no PAH symptoms) (n=74). To evaluate serum levels of pro-BNP and uric acid, 5 cc venous blood samples were taken from all patients. Mean serum uric acid level was significantly higher in the PH group (P <0.05). Although the serum level of BNP pro was higher in the PH group, there was no statistically significant difference between two groups (P >0.05). The cut-off point of uric acid and BNP pro were 6 (mg/dl) and 80 (pg/ml), respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of uric acid for detection of P.HTN in scleroderma patients were 65.79%, 85.13%, 71.59% and 45.83%, respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of Pro BNP for detection of P.HTN in scleroderma patients were 73.68%, 74.32%, 59.57% and 84.62%, respectively. The results of this study demonstrated the applicability of Pro BNP and uric acid in screening and diagnosis of pulmonary hypertension in patients with scleroderma.