{
  "abstract": "Introduction Growing evidence suggests that trauma influences the pathogenesis of systemic autoimmune disease. 1 Trauma may affect immune function by stimulating inflammatory pathways during sympathetic nervous system activation. To date, no studies have evaluated the prevalence of traumatic life events in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and nature of trauma in patients with SSc.Material and Methods Consecutive patients meeting 2013 ACR/EULAR criteria for SSc were recruited between September 2024 to April 2025 to complete the Trauma History Questionnaire (THQ) 2 and the Adverse Childhood Experiences Questionnaire (ACE-Q).3 The THQ explores the occurrence of traumatic events regarding crime, disaster and physical/sexual assault.2 The ACE-Q categorizes ACEs based on abuse/neglect and household dysfunction, and the presence of greater than or equal to 4 ACEs is associated with increased health risks in adulthood.3 Descriptive statistics were used to describe the features of patients with SSc with high (greater than or equal to 4) vs. low-moderate (less than 4) ACE-Q scores and to characterize the prevalence of specific types of trauma.Results Among 98 patients with ssc, 85 (86.7%) were female, 63 (64.3%) identified as white, 34 (34.6%) had diffuse cutaneous disease, and 59 (60.2%) had ild ( table 1). In terms of childhood trauma, 63 (64.2%) patients reported at least one ACE, and 22 (22.4%) reported high adversity (table 1). Participants reported an average of 2.02 aces (figure 1). ILD was more prevalent in the high adversity group compared with low to moderate adversity groups (68.2% vs. 57.9%, respectively). According to THQ responses, the most prevalent trauma was disaster (e.g., wildfires, earthquakes), followed by physical/sexual assault and crime (figure 2).Conclusions Most patients with SSc reported at least one ACE, and the prevalence of high childhood adversity was greater in SSc patients compared with the general US population (22.4% vs. 17.3%, respectively). 4 The high prevalence of ACEs and disaster trauma in this SSc cohort highlights the need for further research into the role of trauma in SSc pathogenesis. Moreover, the finding that high adversity was more prevalent in patients with ILD warrants future investigation into the relationship between trauma and distinct clinical phenotypes of SSc.References Ploesser M, et al. Semin Arthritis Rheum. 2024;69:152558.Hooper L, et al. Journal of Loss and Trauma. 2011;16:258–283.Felitti VJ, et al. American Journal of Preventive Medicine. 1998;14(4):245–258.Swedo EA, et al. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2023;72:707–715.Abstract P.008 Figure 1Bar graph of mean number of ACEs, stratifled by low to moderate adversity (0-3 ACEs) as compared to high adversity (4+ ACEs) (ACE- Adverse Childhood Events)Abstract P.008 Figure 2Mean trauma events by trauma category in systemic sclerosis population (PSE= physical and sexual experiences)Abstract P.008 Table 1Baseline characteristics of systemic sclerosis population",
  "authors": [
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Division of Rheumatology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, USA"
      ],
      "name": "Nahal Ghanoongooi"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Division of Rheumatology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, USA"
      ],
      "name": "Samuel Good"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Division of General Internal Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, USA"
      ],
      "name": "Ju Young Lee"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Division of Rheumatology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, USA"
      ],
      "name": "Arissa Young"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Division of Rheumatology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, USA"
      ],
      "name": "Elizabeth Volkmann"
    }
  ],
  "title": "P.008 Evaluation of the history of trauma in systemic sclerosis: prevalence and patient characteristics",
  "uid": "15073889-1f84-537c-b2f5-bb782258e7aa"
}