J Rheumatol
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Comparative Study
Quality of life and functional status in systemic sclerosis compared to other rheumatic diseases.
To assess clinical factors associated with disability and physical health in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) compared to psoriatic arthritis (PsA), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and healthy controls. ⋯ Physical health relating to quality of life is adversely affected in patients with SSc. Disability is associated with the presence of >or= 11 tender points, a high skin score, and joint and GI involvement. Joint involvement in SSc is more disabling than joint involvement in PsA; and patients with SSc experience more severe pain than patients with RA.