Systemic sclerosis & Raynaud's
Association of exercise-induced pulmonary hypertension with nailfold capillary density in systemic sclerosis: a single-center retrospective observational study
Authors' conclusion
In our study, 44.0% of patients with SSc and exercise intolerance exhibited exercise PH, with many potentially having HFpEF. Decreased nailfold capillary density, exertional dyspnea, and palpitations were indicative markers useful for exercise PH screening.
Study context
- Population
- Patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) and exercise intolerance
- Participants
- 50 patients
- Exposure
- Exercise PH vs non-PH among SSc patients with exercise intolerance
- Outcome
- Prevalence of PH and exercise PH
Methodological detailssingle-center
- Single-center
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Clinical features, exercise PH vs non-PH
- Exertional dyspnea and palpitations more prevalent in exercise PH than non-PH
- Lower nailfold capillary density in exercise PH
- No difference in NT-proBNP, serum uric acid, inflammatory findings, %DLco, FVC/%DLco ratio, 6-minute walking distance or peak tricuspid regurgitant velocity
Exercise PH in patients with exertional dyspnoea, exertional palpitations and capillary density ≤ 7/mm
- Exercise PH detected
- 87.5%
PAWP/cardiac output slope in exercise PH
- Exceeded 2 mmHg/L/min in many patients, indicating latent heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF)
Original publication
Association of exercise-induced pulmonary hypertension with nailfold capillary density in systemic sclerosis: a single-center retrospective observational study. Arthritis Res Ther. Published 26 August 2025. doi:10.
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