Hand function impairment in Systemic sclerosis: Outcomes, Mechanisms and Experience (HANDSOME) - a longitudinal...

Area of Science:

• Rheumatology and Immunology
• Clinical Research
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Systemic sclerosis (SSc) commonly leads to hand function impairment, significantly affecting patients' quality of life.
• The precise causes of hand dysfunction in SSc remain largely unknown, highlighting a critical unmet need for effective treatments.
• Advancements in imaging, biomarkers, and laboratory techniques offer new avenues to explore factors contributing to SSc-related hand impairment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify key risk factors associated with hand function impairment in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc).
• To elucidate the underlying biological and clinical mechanisms driving hand dysfunction in SSc.
• To inform the development of targeted therapeutic strategies for improving hand function in SSc patients.

Main Methods:

• A 2-year longitudinal observational multicentre study involving patients with very early diagnosis of systemic sclerosis (SSc).
• Comprehensive data collection including medical history, clinical status, nailfold capillaroscopy, skin assessments, and serum biomarker analysis.
• Advanced imaging techniques such as ultrasound, elastography, and MRI will be utilized to assess hand structures and function.

Main Results:

• Analysis will correlate various clinical, imaging, and biomarker data with objective hand function measurements.
• Identification of specific risk factors and mechanistic pathways contributing to hand impairment in the SSc cohort.
• Longitudinal data will reveal the progression of hand dysfunction and its relationship with disease characteristics over time.

Conclusions:

• This study aims to provide crucial insights into the etiology of hand function impairment in systemic sclerosis.
• Findings are expected to guide the development of novel diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for SSc-related hand complications.
• Understanding these factors is essential for improving functional outcomes and patient well-being in systemic sclerosis.