Cardiopulmonary diagnostic testing among 2300 patients with SSc evaluated 1990–2009. Data are mean ± SD unless otherwise specified.
| Pulmonary Function Tests | Age of Onset < 65 Yrs | Age of Onset ≥ 65 Yrs | p |
|---|---|---|---|
| No obstruction: FEV1/FVC ≥ 70% | 1445/1808 (80%) | 123/179 (69%) | 0.001 |
| FEV1/FVC | 0.79 ± 0.06 | 0.79 ± 0.06 | 0.109 |
| Minimum percent predicted FVC | 69 ± 21 | 76 ± 22 | 0.001 |
| Minimum percent predicted TLC | 78 ± 21 | 85 ± 26 | 0.001 |
| Minimum percent predicted DLCO | 62 ± 26 | 65 ± 29 | 0.176 |
| Obstruction: FEV1/FVC < 70% | 363/1808 (20%) | 56/179 (31%) | 0.001 |
| FEV1/FVC | 0.62 ± 0.12 | 0.61 ± 0.09 | 0.654 |
| Minimum percent predicted FVC | 70 ± 21 | 74 ± 17 | 0.129 |
| Minimum percent predicted TLC | 83 ± 21 | 93 ± 26 | 0.002 |
| Minimum percent predicted DLCO | 58 ± 23 | 54 ± 25 | 0.211 |
| Echocardiography | |||
| Minimum ejection fraction, n = 1736 | 56 ± 9 | 55 ± 10 | 0.133 |
| Maximum RVSP, mm Hg, n = 1428 | 44 ± 21 | 49 ± 20 | 0.007 |
| Right heart catheterization | |||
| PA pressure ≥ 25 mm Hg and PCWP ≤ 15 mm Hg | 151 (7%)* | 19 (9%)* | 0.413 |
| PA pressure ≥ 25 mm Hg and PCWP > 15 mm Hg | 35 (2%)* | 6 (3%)* | 0.248 |
↵* 260 right heart catheterizations were completed among patients with younger SSc onset (< 65 yrs); and 35 right heart catheterizations were completed among patients with late-age SSc onset (≥ 65 yrs). The percentages represent number of catheterizations meeting criteria out of the total number of younger SSc onset patients (n = 2084) or late-age SSc onset patients (n = 216). SSc: systemic sclerosis; FEV1: forced expiratory volume in 1 second; FVC: forced vital capacity; TLC: total lung capacity; DLCO: diffusing capacity; RVSP: right ventricular systolic pressure; PA: pulmonary artery; PCWP: pulmonary capillary wedge pressure.