International journal of rheumatic diseases
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Comparative Study
Validation of the scleroderma health assessment questionnaire and quality of life in English and Chinese-speaking patients with systemic sclerosis.
To perform cross-cultural adaptation and validation of the Scleroderma Health Assessment Questionnaire (S-HAQ) and Systemic Sclerosis Quality of Life scale (SSc-QoL) in English and Chinese-speaking patients with SSc. ⋯ In this pilot study, we provided preliminary evidence to demonstrate the good test-retest reliability and reasonable construct validity of S-HAQ and SSc-QoL for use in English and Chinese-speaking SSc patients. This forms the basis for future studies to assess more extensively their psychometric properties.
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Infection is a common cause of death in systemic sclerosis (SSc) but despite immunosuppressant therapy, there are few reports of opportunistic infection. ⋯ Infection is not uncommon among SSc patients; however, opportunistic infection is rare, despite immunosuppressant therapy. Esophageal dysmotility increases the risk of major infection, particularly of aspiration pneumonia.