Systemic sclerosis in Native Americans of the American Southwest

Authors

N Suzanne Emil, Division of Rheumatology and School of Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
Jaime A. Vondenberg, Department of Medicine, Rheumatology/Immunology, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
Yvonne M. Waters, Division of Rheumatology and School of Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
Maheswari Muruganandam, Division of Rheumatology and School of Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
Angie Ariza-Hutchinson, Division of Rheumatology and School of Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
Rosemina A. Patel, Division of Rheumatology and School of Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
Sharon E. Nunez, Division of Rheumatology and School of Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
James I. Gibb, Division of Rheumatology and School of Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
Matthew K. McElwee, Division of Rheumatology and School of Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
Janet L. Poole, Division of Rheumatology and School of Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
Frank X. O'Sullivan, Division of Rheumatology and School of Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
Roderick A. Fields, Division of Rheumatology and School of Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
Wilmer L. Sibbitt, Division of Rheumatology and School of Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

6-14-2022

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Many indigenous non-Caucasian populations, including Native Americans, have been reported to have higher rates, distinct clinical phenotypes, increased complications, and greater severity of systemic sclerosis (SSc). However, little is known of SSc specifically in Native Americans of the American Southwest. This study compared the clinical and serologic manifestations and outcomes of SSc in Native Americans and non-Native Americans (non-Natives) of this region.

METHODS: This cross-sectional retrospective study included 137 SSc patients (109 [80%] were non-Native and 28 [20%] were Native Americans) followed over a mean of 11.5 ± 7.6 years. Participants were repetitively evaluated with medical history, physical examination, echocardiography, chest imaging, and serologic testing. Disease characteristics and outcomes were statistically compared between Native Americans and non-Native patients.

RESULTS: The estimated prevalence of SSc in Native Americans was 40.0 cases/100 000 vs 17.1 cases/100 000 for non-Natives (odds ratio 2.34, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.55-3.55, P < .001). The cohorts were similar in terms age, age of onset, limited vs diffuse cutaneous SSc, telangiectasias, gastroesophageal reflux disease, Raynaud phenomenon, serologies, interstitial lung disease, pulmonary arterial hypertension, scleroderma renal crisis, cancer prevalence, and overall mortality (all P > .05). However, for Native Americans, mortality specifically from fatal infections was 3.94-fold that of non-Natives (hazard ratio 6.88, 95% CI 1.37-34.64; P < .001).

CONCLUSION: In Native Americans of the American Southwest, SSc is increased in prevalence but is phenotypically similar to SSc in non-Natives. However, mortality due specifically to infection is increased in Native Americans with SSc.

Publication Title

Int J Rheum Dis

ISSN

1756-185X

DOI

10.1111/1756-185X.14367

Recommended Citation

Emil NS, Vondenberg JA, Waters YM, Muruganandam M, Ariza-Hutchinson A, Patel RA, Nunez SE, Gibb JI, McElwee MK, Poole JL, O'Sullivan FX, Fields RA, Sibbitt WL Jr. Systemic sclerosis in Native Americans of the American Southwest. Int J Rheum Dis. 2022 Jun 14. doi: 10.1111/1756-185X.14367. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 35699136.