+44 330 818 7254Dr. Zuhal Ariturk, Dr. Sevin Dag, Dr. Remzi Cevik, Dr. Hatice Yüksel , Dr. Murat Yüksel, Dr. Derya Uçmak, Dr. Mustafa Oylumlu, Dr. Ibrahim Batmaz and Dr. M.Akif Sarıyıldız.
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a multisystem disorder characterized by extensive vascular damage, with early generalized microangiopathy and fibrosis of the skin and internal organs. SSc is characterized by parasympathetic impairment and marked sympathetic over activity. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential relationship between serum asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) levels and blood pressure pattern with sympathetic over activity in patients with SSc. Thirty patients with systemic sclerosis and thirty controls who had no cardiovascular risk factors were included in this study. All patients and the controls underwent a 24-hour holter recording and their plasma ADMA levels were measured. A total of 10 patients had dipper status (33.3%), 16 patients had non-dipper status (53.3%), 2 patients had reverse dipper status (6.7%) and 2 patients had extreme dipper status (6.7%). ADMA levels were higher in SSc patients when compared with control group and especially significantly higher in SSc patients with reverse dipper status. The relationship between elevated ADMA serum levels and reverse dipper blood pressure patterns in patients with SSC may be the result of sympathetic over activity.
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