Scleroderma and the kidney

Management review of scleroderma renal crisis: An update with practical pointers

Scleroderma renal crisis (SRC) represents severe, fatal internal organ involvement brought on by systemic sclerosis. A high rate of renal replacement therapy and mortality persists despite various treatments. Depending on the stage of SRC, a vasodilator called angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor is the treatment of choice. The efficacy of various other vasodilators (i.e. endothelin-1 receptor antagonist) and complement cascade blocker for SRC have been investigated; however, no randomized control trial has been conducted. A new approach has been proposed for the management of SRC, categorized by specific clinical features of narrowly defined SRC and systemic sclerosis-thrombotic microangiopathy. SRC prophylaxis using angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor might be harmful, leading to a poor renal outcome, so the pathogenesis of SRC needs to be clarified in order to identify other possible preventions or therapies.

Kidney transplantation in systemic sclerosis: Advances in graft, disease, and patient outcome

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is an immune-mediated rheumatic disease characterized by vascular abnormalities, tissue fibrosis, and inflammation. Renal disease occurring in patients with SSc may have a variable clinicopathological picture. However, the most specific renal condition associated with this disease is the scleroderma renal crisis (SRC), characterized by acute onset of renal failure and severe hypertension. SRC develops in about 20% of cases of SSc, especially in those patients with diffuse cutaneous disease. The prognosis of this condition is often negative, with a rapid progression to end-stage renal disease (ESRD). The advent of the antihypertensive angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors in 1980 was associated with a significant improvement in patients’ survival and recovery of renal function. However, the prognosis of these patients can still be improved. The dialytic condition is associated with early death, and mortality is significantly higher than among patients undergoing renal replacement therapy (RRT) due to other conditions. Patients with SRC who show no signs of renal functional recovery despite timely blood pressure control are candidates for kidney transplantation (KT). In this review, we reported the most recent advances in KT in patients with ESRD due to SSc, with a particular overview of the risk of disease recurrence after transplantation and the evolution of other disease manifestations.

Renal Crisis as the Initial Manifestation of Scleroderma

We report the case of a young Hispanic woman who was originally admitted to the emergency department following hypertensive urgency and right-sided blurry vision. The patient did not carry a diagnosis of scleroderma at the time of the visit. However, upon further evaluation, the patient was found to have a scleroderma renal crisis. An angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor was initiated promptly with subsequent normalization of the blood pressure and creatinine level. Scleroderma renal crisis is a rare, highly feared complication of scleroderma that if left untreated can be life-threatening. Therefore, it is important to identify this condition early and initiate therapy without delay.

Evaluation of retinal microvascular structures by optical coherence tomography angiography in primary Sjögren's syndrome

OBJECTIVES

There are insufficient data in the literature on how retinal capillaries are affected in primary Sjögren's syndrome (PSS). The aim of this study was to evaluate the retinal capillary density (CD) in PSS using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA).

METHODS

In this case-control study, 26 eyes from 13 PSS patients and 39 eyes from 20 healthy controls (HCs) were included. The CD in the regions of the superior capillary plexus (SCP), deep capillary plexus (DCP) and radial peripapillary capillaries (RPC) as well as assessment parameters of the foveal avascular zone (FAZ) were examined by OCTA.

RESULTS

The mean CD (%) was 50.2 ± 4.2 and 50.5 ± 3.4 in the SCP (p = 0.904), 49.2 ± 7.5 and 53.9 ± 5.7 in the DCP (p = 0.006) and 50.8 ± 2.1 and 49.8 ± 2.2 in the RPC (p = 0.088) regions in patients with PSS and HCs, respectively. In patients with PSS and HCs, the mean sizes of the FAZ were 0.243 ± 0.07 mm² and 0.283 ± 0.13 mm² (p = 0.142), and the mean sizes of the non-flow area were 0.480 ± 0.11 mm² and 0.509 ± 0.13 mm², respectively (p = 0.359). The correlation coefficients (Rho) of retinal CD in the SCP, DCP and RPC regions with disease duration were - 0.545 (p = 0.004), - 0.389 (p = 0.050) and - 0.795 (p < 0.001), respectively.

CONCLUSION

The retinal CD in PSS is lower than that in the healthy population in deep retinal capillaries, and retinal CD shows a negative correlation with disease duration in PSS.

CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION

This study was not registered to clinicaltrials.gov.

Refractory scleroderma renal crisis precipitated after high-dose oral corticosteroids and concurrent intravitreal injection of bevacizumab

Scleroderma renal crisis is a serious complication that can develop in certain patients with systemic sclerosis. Some risks have been identified as potential triggers of scleroderma renal crisis, including the high-dose oral corticosteroids. Here, we present a patient who developed clinically severe systemic sclerosis and scleroderma renal crisis after exposure to oral corticosteroids and intravitreal vascular endothelial growth factor blockade with bevacizumab for cotton wool spots. The patient's scleroderma renal crisis was severe, progressive, and refractory to the standard of care therapy: oral captopril. Biopsy showed a diffuse thrombotic microangiopathy and findings consistent with scleroderma renal crisis. We hypothesize that depletion of systemic vascular endothelial growth factor with intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor injections likely contributed to the particularly severe presentation seen in this case. Though the finding of a monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance is another complicating factor, this case suggests that vascular endothelial growth factor inhibition may be a newly recognized trigger of scleroderma renal crisis.

'Narrow-sense' and 'broad-sense' vascular abnormalities of systemic sclerosis

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) induces skin thickening and numerous symptoms involving the entire body. Collagen deposition, immune disorder, and vascular abnormalities is currently estimated to be three major causal factors involved in the respective conditions. Vascular abnormalities usually develop in the initial phase of this disease, and may exist in all phases; therefore, they markedly influence the patient's quality of life. This article reviews recent findings about 'narrow-sense' vascular lesions (including Raynaud's phenomenon, skin ulcers, nailfold bleedings, pitting scars, telangiectasia, and pulmonary hypertension) and 'broad-sense' vascular lesions (such as calcinosis or erectile dysfunction). Affected blood vessels can be classified into arteriole/small artery and capillary blood vessels. Furthermore, pathological changes include the proliferation of the vascular endothelial or smooth muscle cells, lumen stenosis by collagen accumulation of the vascular intima, vasodilation or fragility, and apoptosis. There may be interaction between vascular lesions, autoimmune disorder, and collagen deposition. Thus, various symptoms of this disease may be controlled through the treatment of vascular lesions.

Patterns of renal pathology in Chinese patients with systemic sclerosis undergoing renal biopsy at a tertiary medical center

OBJECTIVE

We investigated renal injury characteristics in Chinese patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) who had undergone renal biopsy.

METHODS

We searched the medical records of patients with SSc who were hospitalized at Peking Union Medical College Hospital between January 1990 and August 2019. We analyzed the clinical characteristics and pathological results of these patients.

RESULTS

We identified 25 patients who had undergone renal biopsy. Of these patients, 10 had scleroderma renal crisis (SRC); one underwent renal biopsy twice (for diffuse mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis and for SRC); two had antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated glomerulonephritis; one had immunoglobulin M nephropathy; one had minimal change nephropathy; seven had lupus nephritis; one had scleroderma renal crisis with comorbid lupus nephritis; and two had drug-related kidney injury (caused by aristolochic acid in one and D-penicillamine in the other). Acute tubular necrosis was observed in the patient taking oral aristolochic acid, while minimal change nephropathy was observed in the patient with D-penicillamine-induced renal injury.

CONCLUSIONS

SRC was the most commonly encountered renal damage in patients with SSc. We recommend biopsy for patients undergoing treatment for SRC who have persistent renal injury with proteinuria, regardless of hematuria. Rheumatologists in Eastern countries should be aware of aristolochic acid nephropathy.

Scleroderma renal crisis: a review for emergency physicians

Scleroderma renal crisis (SRC) remains a high-risk clinical presentation, and many patients require emergency department (ED) management for complications and stabilization. This narrative review provides an evidence-based summary of the current data for the emergency medicine evaluation and management of SRC. While SRC remains a rare clinical presentation, surveillance data suggest an overall incidence between 4 and 6% of patients with scleroderma. The diagnostic criteria for SRC include a new onset blood pressure > 150/85 mm Hg OR increase ≥ 20 mm Hg from baseline systolic blood pressure, along with a decline in renal function, defined as an increase serum creatinine of ≥ 10% and supportive features. There are many risk factors for SRC, including diffuse and rapidly progressive skin thickening, palpable tendon friction rubs, and new anemia or cardiac events. Critical patients should be evaluated in the resuscitation bay, and consultation with the nephrology team for appropriate patients improves patient outcomes.

Endothelial lesion and complement activation in patients with Scleroderma Renal Crisis

In kidney biopsies reviews, scleroderma renal crisis (SRC) is characterized by vascular endothelial injuries, C4d deposits on peritubular vessels, and acute and chronic injuries coexisting on the same biopsy. The clinical signs of thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) are described in systemic sclerosis (SSc), nevertheless, it has not been related to acute injuries described on kidney biopsies. We report a case of SRC in a patient with scleroderma-dermatomyositis overlap syndrome, which also showed clinical and histopathological data of TMA. On fundus examination, a severe acute hypertensive retinopathy was found. The kidney biopsy showed severe endothelial damage with widening of mucoid cells at the level of the intima, focal concentric proliferation on most small arterioles, and C3, C4d, and IgM deposits along the capillary walls. The genetic study of complement only showed the presence of membrane cofactor protein (MCP) risk haplotypes, without other genetic complement disorders. We understand that in a patient with TMA and SSc, the kidney damage would be fundamentally endothelial and of an acute type; moreover, we would observe clear evidence of complement activation. Once further studies correlate clinical-analytical data with anatomopathological studies, it is likely that we will be forced to redefine the SRC concept, focusing on the relationship between acute endothelial damage and complement activation.

Kidney involvement in systemic sclerosis

Kidney involvement in systemic sclerosis (SSc) is primarily manifested by scleroderma renal crisis (SRC). Formerly, it was the most severe complication in scleroderma and was the most frequent cause of death in these patients. More than 30years ago, with the development of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, SRC became a very treatable complication of scleroderma. Although there are still many patients who do not survive and have poor outcomes, early diagnosis of renal crisis and prompt therapeutic intervention can achieve excellent outcomes. Renal abnormalities independent of renal crisis have been noted, but can usually be attributed to other problems. Further understanding of the pathogenesis of renal disease in scleroderma may lead to additional improvement in the therapy of renal crisis and perhaps the disease in general. This chapter reviews the pathogenesis, clinical setting, and therapy of this serious complication of SSc.

[Renal involvement in systemic sclerosis]

Renal crisis is one of the most severe complications of systemic sclerosis, and its frequency is 10%, and it is characterized by malignant hypertension, hyperreninemia, azotemia, microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, and renal failure. In the pathogenesis of renal affection, the main mechanism is the endothelial damage (thickness of arterial vessels), decrease of blood flow and hyperplasia of the yuxtaglomerular apparatus as well as release of renina. Pathological changes of scleroderma kidney are similar to those observed in other forms of malignant hypertension. Renal crisis was considered as fatal complications, however it is now successfully treated with angiotensin- converting enzyme inhibitors.

[Microscopic polyangiitis in a patient with systemic sclerosis]

The coexistence of systemic sclerosis (SSc) and vasculitis has been infrequently reported. We present a 65-year-old man who, 6 years previously, had been diagnosed with limited SSc, and who developed a focal segmental necrotizing crescent glomerulonephritis associated with perinuclear antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies with antimyeloperoxidase specificity in the absence of Dpenicillamine exposure.

Scleroderma associated with ANCA-associated vasculitis

We have recently reported on two cases of scleroderma patients with ANCA-associated vasculitis for the first time in Korea. In order to explore the nature of this disease combination, we pooled together all the previously known cases and statistically analyzed them. Out of the 50 selected cases, survival analysis was done for comparison of the scleroderma disease period and the clinical factors associated with ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV). Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed that patients having anti-topoisomerase antibody (anti-Scl-70) and, probably, PR-3 ANCA are at a higher risk for developing AAV than patients without both anti-topoisomerase antibody and anti-centromere antibody (ACA), and patients with MPO-ANCA. Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed having anti-topoisomerase antibody as a risk factor for developing AAV [OR 3.1 (95% CI 1.11-8.55), P=0.031]. We suggest that having anti-topoisomerase antibodies may play a role among scleroderma patients in developing AAV.

Scleroderma associated with ANCA-associated vasculitis

Scleroderma and ANCA-associated vasculitides (AAV), such as microscopic polyangiitis, are distinct disease entities, but are rarely known to coexist with each other. We have reported on two cases of scleroderma patients for the first time in Korea, and these patients were initially known to have only limited type scleroderma with pulmonary fibrosis, but eventually they were found to be ANCA-positive with the associated clinical features of vasculitis. Both were treated with high-dose steroids and cyclophosphamide and remitted without major sequelae. When scleroderma patients exhibit atypical features such as normotensive renal failure with signs of active inflammation, the possibility of AAV should always be considered.

Scleroderma renal crisis

Renal crisis occurs in patients who have systemic sclerosis with rapidly progressive diffuse cutaneous thickening early in their disease. SRC is characterized by malignant hypertension, hyperreninemia, azotemia, microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, and renal failure. SRC was almost uniformly fatal, but in most cases it can now be successfully treated with ACE inhibitors. This therapy has improved survival, reduced the requirement for dialysis, and often allowed for the discontinuation of dialysis 6 to 18 months later. Prompt diagnosis and early, aggressive initiation of therapy with ACE inhibitors will result in the most optimal outcome.

18. Immune-mediated renal disease

Immune-mediated renal diseases can be classified by the clinical syndromes they produce, by the attendant renal pathology, or by the dominant immune effector mechanism of renal injury. The major clinical syndromes produced by immune-mediated renal injury include the nephrotic syndrome, the nephritic syndrome, rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis, and acute renal failure. The notion of clinical syndromes facilitates diagnosis and treatment, but does not accurately define disease pathogenesis. In this summary, we discuss pathologically defined immune-mediated renal diseases under the clinical syndrome with which they are most frequently associated. There is overlap between the clinical syndromes, but the syndromes provide a useful framework. Relevant information regarding the proposed pathogenesis of disease entities is included under specific disease entities.

Scleroderma, D-penicillamine treatment, and progressive renal failure associated with positive antimyeloperoxidase antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies

Progressive renal failure in patients with scleroderma is a sinister development that is usually attributed to impaired renal blood flow. In some exceptional cases, the underlying pathology is a crescentic glomerulonephritis, which has been associated with positive antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies, and in particular antimyeloperoxidase antibodies. The prognosis in such cases has been very poor. We report such a patient whose renal function has improved and stabilized on immunosuppressive therapy.

Scleroderma and related conditions

Systemic sclerosis is a generalized disorder characterized by fibrosis and microvascular injury in affected organs. Despite being recognized nearly 250 years ago, knowledge regarding pathogenesis remains limited, and treatment remains directed at symptomatic improvement. Early recognition of systemic sclerosis, however, is important in order to monitor for specific disease complications (i.e., fibrosing alveolitis, scleroderma renal crisis) as well as initiate manifestation specific therapies that improve quality of life.

Scleroderma renal crisis

Renal crisis occurs in systemic sclerosis patients with rapidly progressive diffuse cutaneous thickening early in their disease. SRC is characterized by malignant hypertension, hyperreninemia, azotemia, microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, and renal failure. This complication, which in the past has been almost uniformly fatal, is now successfully treated in most cases with ACE inhibitors. This therapy has improved survival, reduced requirement for dialysis, and in those on dialysis has often allowed discontinuation of this procedure 6 to 18 months later. Prompt diagnosis and early, aggressive initiation of therapy with ACE inhibitors will result in the most optimal outcome. Chronic nonrenal crisis renal insufficiency is unusual and rarely progresses to significant renal dysfunction.

An early diagnosis of kidney involvement in immunologically-mediated multisystem diseases

Kidney involvement in immuno-mediated diseases is a life threatening complication to be early detected. Glomerulo-tubular functional indices, kidney-released enzymes and metabolic profiles were assessed in 21 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus, progressive systemic sclerosis and mixed cryoglobulinaemia, without overt nephropathy at a current laboratory examination, and in 31 age-sex-matched healthy controls. All patients had a urinary total protein excretion rate higher than controls (353.6 +/- 182.4 vs 243.0 +/- 108.2 mg/24 h, p < 0.01); 12 of them resulted albuminuric (775.5 +/- 1192.4 mg/24 h), while 9 were normoalbuminuric (16.6 +/- 7.6 mg/24 h). Urinary enzyme excretion rates (GGT and NAG) were significantly heightened compared to healthy subjects, both in albuminuric and in normoalbuminuric patients. Serum albumin resulted significantly lower in all patients, independent of their urinary albumin leakage. Finally, all subjects with connective tissue diseases had significantly higher triglycerides, lower HDL cholesterol and double serum fasting insulin than normals. In conclusion, all patients with collagen diseases show signs of subclinical nephropathy, not always detectable by albuminuria. They also provide evidence of insulin-resistance, a conceivable forerunner of cardiovascular complications.