Variables from time of diagnosis in 49 juvenile MCTD patients according to left ventricular function at examination after a median 14.9 years of disease duration.
| Variables Assessed at Diagnosis | Normal LV Function, n = 41 | LV Dysfunction, n = 8 | p |
|---|---|---|---|
| Age, yrs | 14.7 (4.6) | 12.3 (2.8) | 0.106 |
| Puffy hands | 17 (42) | 4 (50) | 0.710 |
| RP | 40 (98) | 8 (100) | 1.000 |
| SLE-like disease | 39 (95) | 8 (100) | 1.000 |
| Arthritis | 36 (88) | 7 (88) | 0.981 |
| Lymphadenopathy | 5 (12) | 2 (25) | 0.344 |
| Facial erythema | 10 (24) | 3 (38) | 0.422 |
| Cytopenia | 5 (12) | 3 (38) | 0.110 |
| Pericarditis/pleuritis | 2 (5) | 0 | 1.000 |
| SSc-like disease | 11 (27) | 2 (25) | 0.944 |
| Sclerodactyly | 4 (10) | 0 | 1.000 |
| Pulmonary fibrosis | 5 (12) | 2 (25) | 0.320 |
| Esophagus dysmotility | 1 (2) | 1 (13) | 0.303 |
| PM-like disease | 10 (24) | 5 (63) | 0.047 |
| High CK | 7 (17) | 4 (50) | 0.063 |
| Muscle weakness | 9 (22) | 5 (63) | 0.033 |
| No. active joints | 4.0 (2.0–10.0) | 11.5 (4.0–22.3) | 0.099 |
| ESR, mm/h | 20.0 (12.0–30.5) | 23.5 (16.0–48.3) | 0.417 |
| CRP, mg/l, n = 41 | 4.0 (1.9–7.4) | 7.0 (4.3–21.8) | 0.081 |
| CRP at diagnosis or during 1st yr | 4.0 (2.0–7.4) | 7.0 (4.3–21.8) | 0.049 |
| Prednisolone dose, mg | 0 (0–13.8) | 20.0 (0–45.0) | 0.057 |
| RF-positive, n = 42 | 21 (62) | 5 (63) | 1.000 |
| RF-positive during 1st yr | 23 (56) | 5 (63) | 1.000 |
| Medications after 1st yr | |||
| Prednisolone | 13 (32) | 5 (63) | 0.230 |
| Antimalarials | 20 (49) | 4 (50) | 1.000 |
| MTX | 16 (39) | 5 (63) | 0.437 |
| NSAID | 12 (29) | 5 (63) | 0.089 |
| Calcium antagonist | 5 (12) | 2 (25) | 0.378 |
Values are in n (%) or median (IQR). Values in bold face are statistically significant. MCTD: mixed connective tissue disease; LV: left ventricular; SLE: systemic lupus erythematosus; SSc: systemic sclerosis; PM: polymyositis; CK: creatine kinase; ESR: erythrocyte sedimentation rate; CRP: C-reactive protein; RF: rheumatoid factor; NSAID: nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs; IQR: interquartile range; RP: Raynaud phenomenon; MTX: methotrexate.