Cardiovascular events and mortality in Systemic Sclerosis: A study of the effect of iloprost on these and on disease progression.

The Systemic Sclerosis Trial of Events and Progression (SSTEP) study commenced recruitment of patients in February 2002. It was designed to determine whether oral iloprost therapy is more effective than placebo in reducing Systemic Sclerosis disease progression, in particular in relation to reducing the risk of patients developing coronary and cerebrovascular disease.

Death from cardiovascular disease is a significant problem for patients with SSc accounting for one third of all deaths in this population.

Iloprost in its intravenous form is a therapy that many patients with SSc will be familiar with as a prophylactic treatment for Raynaud's. However there is a belief that it's effect as a blood vessel dilator may be beneficial in preventing patients with SSc developing cardiovascular disease.

This study is thus important in assessing whether this intervention, given in the more practical form of an oral preparation, is effective in reducing the development of cardiovascular disease in SSc patients. It also gives us a unique opportunity to follow patients up for in excess of 4 years so that we can look at assessing cardiac, lung and renal function tests to determine if this therapy is protective of other organs also.

This study has involved the collaboration of physicians and others with expertise in this area throughout the UK and Eire and is now recruiting in 9 centres, Dundee, Aberdeen, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Royal Free London, Northampton, Leeds, Newcastle and Dublin.

We have to date recruited over 200 patients

This study is due to complete recruitment by the end of January 2005.

If patients attending any of the above centres are interested in taking part or require further information on this research project please contact the Raynaud's or Rheumatology nurses at your local centre before mid January.

The study is due to be completed in 2007.

Funded by the Raynaud's & Scleroderma Association.