[Carotid and brachial intima-media thickness of the allelic variants G894T and T-789C of eNOS in systemic sclerosis patients].

OBJECTIVE To evaluate comparatively the carotid intima media thickness index (IMT) and brachial index with Doppler ultrasound, and pulmonary artery pressure with echocardiography in allelic variation of G894T and T-789C eNOS (endothelial nitric oxide synthase) in patients with systemic sclerosis. METHODS This is a cross-sectional study in patients with scleroderma. The inclusion criteria were: age 18-70 years, scleroderma diagnosed patients with a prior informed consent. Polymorphism G894T and T-789C of eNOS was measured in blood, and IMT by carotid and brachial Doppler. We analyzed with descriptive statistics, Student's t test or chi square for association of variables and Spearman to correlate Doppler parameters. RESULTS We found abnormally high IMT in carotid and brachial arteries. We also observed low correlation between both brachial arteries, good correlation between carotids and no correlation between carotid and brachial arteries. The left IMT>0.65 mm in brachial artery corresponds to pulmonary pressure>30 mmHg by echocardiography. G894T gene polymorphism was associated with increased IMT in right carotid. CONCLUSION The G894T eNOS polymorphism was associated with increased IMT in right carotid. The one side carotid IMT is consistent with its contralateral. The left brachial IMT above to 0.65 mm, suggests the possibility of pulmonary arterial hypertension.