Mortality in systemic sclerosis: a comparison with the general population.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the mortality rate in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) with that of the general population.


METHODS
Standardized mortality ratios (SMR) were calculated for 237 patients with SSc followed prospectively, using age and sex specific mortality rates in Ontario for the period 1976-1990.


RESULTS
The overall SMR for the SSc cohort was 4.69. The mortality rate was greater with diffuse than with limited scleroderma (SMR 6.18 and 3.80, respectively), but not different between men and women.


CONCLUSIONS
The mortality rate in SSc is increased compared to that of the general population, especially in the subset with diffuse disease.
Abu-Shakra
M
M
University of Toronto Rheumatic Disease Unit, Wellesley Hospital, Canada.
Lee
P
P
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012016:Reference Values; D012594:Scleroderma, Localized / Q000401:mortality; D012595:Scleroderma, Systemic / Q000401:mortality*; D012737:Sex Factors