Klotho and Mineral Bone Density in Systemic Sclerosis

Klotho and Bone Mineral Density (BMD) in Systemic Sclerosis Patients: Relationship with Microvascular Damage and Fibrosis

The present study recruits female patients aged 45-65 years with a diagnosis of Systemic Sclerosis according to the EULAR/ACR 2013 criteria and age and gender-matched healthy control subjects. The purpose of the study is to investigate the possible role of Klotho and other cytokines involved in the osteoimmunological control of bone turnover as a possible determinant of the microvascular damage and fibrosis observed in SSc patients

The present study recruits female patients aged 45-65 years with a diagnosis of Systemic Sclerosis according to the EULAR/ACR 2013 criteria and age and gender-matched healthy control subjects. The purpose of the study is to investigate the possible role of Klotho and other cytokines involved in the osteoimmunological control of bone turnover as a possible determinant of the microvascular damage and fibrosis observed in SSc patients . For each patient demographic data, history of fractures and smoking habits will be gathered. Evaluation of bone mineral density will be performed and blood samples to dose DDK1, sclerostin, osteoprotegerin and Klotho will be collected.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Female gender
• Systemic sclerosis diagnosis
• Signature of the informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• Chronic kidney disease
• Liver or thyroid disease
• Diabetes
• Ongoing diuretic treatment
• Estrogen replacing treatment
• Vitamin D or Calcium supplementation
• Drugs able to interfere with bone turn-over (such as bisphosphonates or glucocorticoids)