Rheumatology Medical News about systemic sclerosis;impact of digital ulcers

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Impact of digital ulcers on disability and health-related quality of life in systemic sclerosis
Annals of Rheumatic Diseases, 02/24/09

Mouthon L et al. – Systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients with digital ulcers (DUs) have reduced wrist and hand mobility, increased global and hand disabilities and decreased mental component of health-related quality of life (HRQoL).

Methods

Study to assess the impact of DUs on disability and HRQoL in SSc pts
213 SSc pts, or during hospital stay (n=36)
HRQoL was assessed by SF-36, global disability by HAQ, hand disability by the Cochin Hand Function Scale (CHFS) and global hand and wrist mobility by the Kapandji index

Results

31.4% pts had at least one DU at the time of evaluation
Pts with DUs showed more pitting scars, and calcinosis than others
Pts with DU had greater HAQ, CHFS, and aesthetic prejudice scores
Hand and wrist mobility were diminished in pts with DU
The presence of a DU did not alter the physical component, but influenced the mental component of the SF36

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