TABLE 1
SSc 0 PVODSSc 1+ PVODSSc 2+ PVODIPAHPVODp-value
Patients39633
Age years50.3±1452.2±9.554±8.442.6±1538.3±140.38
Females1 (33.3%)4 (44.4%)2 (33.3%)2 (66.7%)2 (66.7%)0.9
Caucasians1 (33.3%)8 (88.9%)5 (83.3%)3 (100%)3 (100%)0.2
NYHA class III2 (66.7%)7 (77.8%)5 (83.3%)2 (66.7%)2 (66.7%)0.4
NYHA class IV02 (22.2%)1 (16.7%)00
Smoking history pack-years2.3±213±203.3±8000.3
Diffuse SSc2310.2
Limited SSc034
RVSP mmHg68±2043.8±2475.4±3283±1261.3±320.18
FVC % predicted45.6±2151.3±2048.3±2077.9±1763.5±200.2
TLC24±1327.3±726.6±1873.6±1447.2±280.1
DLCO % predicted63.1±1954.6±2456.6±1990.6±972.1±180.05
Right heart catheterisation
 PA systolic mmHg78±6.252±16.263.3±2284±8.484.3±170.04
 PA diastolic mmHg23±9.618±719.3±732.5±4.935.6±80.03
 PA mean mmHg43.6±5.132.2±10.536±11.257±5.555.3±110.01
 PAWP mmHg9±5.510.6±3.59.6±3.112±2.64.7±20.1
 TPG mmHg34.6±0.521.5±1226.3±1145±850.6±120.01
 PVR WU4.9±0.94.9±3.34.5±1.714.9±8.710.1±40.07
Pathology
 Pulmonary veins
  Intimal thickening01 (11.1%)5 (100%)03 (100%)<0.001
  Obstructive fibrous luminal septa or recanalisation04 (44.4%)5 (100%)1 (33.3%)3 (100%)0.002
  Arterialisation of pulmonary veins07 (77.8%)5 (100%)1 (33.3%)3 (100%)0.02
 Capillaries      
  Angioma-like lesions in capillaries001 (20%)1 (33.3%)3 (100%)0.006
 Pulmonary arteries
  Plexiform lesions0003 (100%)00.002
  Eccentric intimal fibrosis2 (66.7%)3 (33.3%)5 (100%)1 (33.3%)1 (33.3%)0.1
  Concentric intimal fibrosis1 (33.3%)4 (44.4%)4 (80%)3 (100%)2 (66.7%)0.1
  Recanalising thrombosis03 (33.3%)1 (20%)2 (66.7%)2 (66.7%)0.5
  Muscularisation of small arteries2 (66.7%)6 (66.7%)5 (100%)2 (66.7%)2 (66.7%)0.8
Morphometric analysis
 Pulmonary veins      
  Ratio of lumen to external diameter0.5±0.0090.3±0.070.4±0.070.5±0.130.6±0.10.05
  Smooth muscle %10.111.1±2.36.7±1.110.4±6.27.9±1.70.09
 Pulmonary arteries      
  Smooth muscle %25.4±2.529.7±431.7±7.536.0±1026.0±4.40.2
  Intima %36.4±0.232.0±8.745.7±16.530.5±830.4±19.40.4
  Ratio of intima to smooth muscle1.6±0.092.0±2.71.5±0.21.0±0.31.2±0.80.4

Comparison of the demographics, haemodynamics and pathology of scleroderma (SSc)-pulmonary hypertension (PH)-interstitial lung disease patients. Idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH) and pulmonary veno-occlusive disease (PVOD) were used as controls. Data are presented as mean±sd, unless otherwise stated. p-values were obtained by comparing all cases and controls using Kruskal–Wallis for continuous variables and Fisher's exact test for categorical variables. Bold indicates statistically significant p-values. NYHA: New York Heart Association; RVSP: right ventricular systolic pressure; FVC: forced vital capacity; TLC: total lung capacity; DLCO: diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide; PA: pulmonary artery; PAWP: pulmonary arterial wedge pressure; TPG: transpulmonary pressure gradient; PVR: pulmonary vascular resistance; WU: Wood units.