Indices of the Scleroderma Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ) can be used to demonstrate change in patients with systemic sclerosis over time.
OBJECTIVE
This study aims to estimate the value of the Scleroderma Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ) to demonstrate change in patients (pts) with systemic sclerosis (SSc) over time.


METHODS
Sixty pts with SSc were evaluated at two occasions, 12 months apart. Pts were divided into three subgroups according to criteria of improved, unchanged or deteriorated status of vascular, respiratory, gastrointestinal and musculosceletal system. All pts filled in the SAQ as part of both evaluations, and the Index of Vascular Status (IVS), Index of Respiratory Status (IRS), Index of Gastrointestinal status (IGS) and Index of Musculoskeletal Status (IMSS) were calculated. Average index scores for particular organ system at the beginning and after the follow-up period in all subgroups of pts were compared.


RESULTS
The mean value of IVS decreased significantly in pts with objectively improved vascular status (1.91 vs. 1.29, p=0.01), but increased in pts with deteriorated status (1.54 vs. 2.13, p=0.003). In the subgroup of pts with unchanged vascular morphology or function, the IVS did not change significantly either (1.84 vs. 1.77, p=0.36). The mean value of IRS decreased significantly in pts with objectively improved lung function (1.08 vs. 0.62, p=0.027), and increased in pts with deteriorated function (0.69 vs. 1.12, p=0.012). In the subgroup of pts with unchanged pulmonary function, the IRS did not change significantly (0.13 vs. 0.14, p=0.18). A statistically significant decrease in mean IGS value was found in pts who were treated with prokinetics (1.20 vs. 0.70, p<0.001). In pts who were not treated with prokinetics, an increase of IGS was observed (0.58 vs. 0.76, p=0.002). Differences between mean values of the IMSS were statistically significant in subgroups of pts with improved (1.28 vs. 0.90, p=0.004) or deteriorated musculoskeletal status (0.98 vs. 1.44, p=0.012), but not in pts with unchanged condition of this organ system (0.72 vs. 0.68, p=0.498).


CONCLUSIONS
The SAQ is a sensitive measurement to demonstrate change in patients with SSc over time.
Ostojic
Predrag
P
Clinical Rheumatology III, Institute of Rheumatology, School of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Serbia. ostojic@net.yu
Damjanov
Nemanja
N
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012595:Scleroderma, Systemic / Q000175:diagnosis*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires