Pathological contributors to organ damage and mortality in systemic sclerosis: a nationwide matched case-control study

Abstract

Background: Mortality is increased in systemic sclerosis (SSc), including a 10–15-fold increase in sudden cardiac death. Limited histopathology data exist to understand the pathogenesis of this excess. This study aimed to compare heart, lung and renal histopathology at autopsy between SSc and controls. Methods: A matched case-control study was performed using autopsy data from the Australian National Coronial Information System. SSc cases were selected via keyword search, and age- and sex-matched to controls identified from motor vehicle accidents. Cause of death, antemortem comorbidities and autopsy findings were extracted. Odds ratios were calculated with 95 % confidence intervals (CI). Fi..