Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 15, 2026

Imaging Features of Systemic Sclerosis-Associated Interstitial Lung Disease
04:44

Imaging Features of Systemic Sclerosis-Associated Interstitial Lung Disease

Published on: June 16, 2020

Systemic sclerosis - continuing progress in developing clinical measures of response

Daniel Furst1, Dinesh Khanna, Marco Matucci-Cerinic

  • 1University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90025, USA. defurst@mednet.ucla.edu

The Journal of Rheumatology
|May 5, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) research faces challenges in evaluating treatment effects due to limited randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Ongoing efforts focus on developing validated outcome measures and composite indices for better assessment in SSc clinical trials.

Area of Science:

  • Rheumatology
  • Clinical Trials
  • Outcome Measures

Background:

  • Systemic sclerosis (SSc) presents challenges for evaluating treatment efficacy due to limited randomized controlled trials (RCTs).
  • Existing validated outcome measures include skin score, Raynaud's measures, pulmonary function tests, and patient-reported outcomes.
  • Recent RCTs have enabled analysis of organ-specific endpoints in SSc.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review and discuss validated outcome measures for systemic sclerosis (SSc).
  • To explore the development of new outcome measures and composite indices for SSc.
  • To facilitate consensus on outcome assessment in SSc clinical research.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature and meta-analyses on SSc outcome measures.
  • Analysis of data presented at OMERACT 8 regarding lung imaging and functional tests.
  • Initiation of Delphi exercises to establish consensus on outcome measures for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and a composite SSc response index.

Main Results:

  • Established validated outcome measures include skin score, Raynaud's, pulmonary function tests, blood pressure, pain, HAQ, and SF-36.
  • Data on high-resolution CT, 6-minute walk test, and patient-reported outcomes were presented for validation.
  • Delphi exercises are underway to develop consensus for PAH measures and a composite SSc response index.

Conclusions:

  • Validated outcome measures exist for SSc, but challenges remain in evaluating treatment effects.
  • Development of composite responder indices may be beneficial given the multi-system nature of SSc.
  • Further validation of proposed outcome measures in future RCTs is essential.

More Related Videos

The Multiple Sclerosis Performance Test (MSPT): An iPad-Based Disability Assessment Tool11:35

The Multiple Sclerosis Performance Test (MSPT): An iPad-Based Disability Assessment Tool

Published on: June 30, 2014

Related Concept Videos

Rheumatic Heart Disease II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies01:22

Rheumatic Heart Disease II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies

The key clinical manifestations of Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) include several distinct cardiac symptoms.Carditis, a hallmark of acute rheumatic fever, involves inflammation of the heart's endocardium, myocardium, and pericardium. Chronic RHD often results from recurrent episodes of carditis. Its symptoms include the following:Murmurs are caused by valvular damage, especially to the mitral and aortic valves. Mitral stenosis or regurgitation is common, with characteristic heart murmurs...
Atherosclerosis II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Tests01:27

Atherosclerosis II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Tests

Atherosclerosis is a progressive disorder that leads to the thickening and narrowing of arterial walls due to plaque buildup. This condition can cause various symptoms depending on the arteries affected:Coronary Artery Disease (CAD): This condition affects the coronary arteries and may lead to chest pain (angina), shortness of breath (dyspnea), heart attacks, and other heart disease symptoms.Cerebrovascular Disease: This affects blood flow to the brain, causing transient ischemic attacks (TIAs)...