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The early identification of those Systemic Sclerosis (SSc) patients harbouring Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH) is a mainstay in the management of SSc. Novel biomarkers might improve the specificity of screening algorithms currently available.

In this study we aimed to test the potential diagnostic value of Red cell distribution width (RDW), which has been previously described as a potential prognostic marker in thromboembolic and idiopathic PAH.

We prospectively recruited 118 patients affected by Scleroderma related disorders (Mixed connective tissue disease N. 7, 5.9%; SSc N. 93, 78.8%; Scleroderma overlap syndromes N. 11, 9.3%, undifferentiated connective tissue diseases N. 7, 5.9%) in a PAH outpatient clinic of a University Hospital. All patients underwent an extensive clinical and laboratory evaluation and an echocardiographic examination; a right heart …