Background/Purpose: Spectrum of vascular involvement in systemic sclerosis (SSc) is diverse like Raynaud’s phenomenon, digital ulcers, pulmonary hypertension and renal disease. Recognition of markers of subclinical disease is an area of active interest in SSc. This study was undertaken to assess the correlation of renal resistive index (RRI) with both renal and systemic vasculopathic manifestations.

Methods: In this single-centre prospective study, RRI was calculated for consecutive SSc patients classified as per the ACR/EULAR 2013 criteria. Elevated RRI ( >0.7) was correlated with renal function (eGFR and proteinuria). RRI was compared with other systemic vasculopathic manifestations like digital ulcers, digital infarcts and pulmonary hypertension.

Results: Seventy three patients (mean age= 41.79 ±10.92) were included. Mean RRI in the right and left renal artery was 0.65 ±0.082 and 0.66±0.075 respectively. Sixteen out of 73 patients (21.9%) had increased RRI ( >0.7). A negative correlation was noted between elevated RRI and eGFR (r= -0.958 p=0.026). Patients with significant proteinuria was also higher in the group with elevated RRI (r= 1), although not statistically significant (p=0.164).  Similarly, digital ulcers and infarcts/pitting were numerically higher in the group with raised RRI, although statistical significance was not reached (p=0.09 and 0.28 respectively). No correlation of RRI with pulmonary arterial hypertension was identified (r=0.009, p=0.948).

Conclusion: Measurement of RRI holds promise as a tool for assessment of subclinical renal vasculopathy and systemic vasculopathy, and needs to be addressed in larger systematically designed studies with longer follow-up.

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ACR Meeting Abstracts - https://acrabstracts.org/abstract/prognostic-role-of-measurement-of-renal-resistive-index-in-systemic-sclerosis/