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ABSTRACT: Background
To determine the frequency and clinical characteristics of systemic sclerosis-related digital ulcers, and associated direct health care costs, quality of life, and survival.Methods
Digital ulcers (DUs) were defined as an area with a visually discernible depth and a loss of continuity of epithelial coverage. DU severity was calculated based on the physician reported highest number of new DUs at clinical review (mild?=?1-5 DUs, moderate 6-10 DUs, severe >?10 DUs). Healthcare use was captured through data linkage, wherein SSc clinical data captured prospectively in a dedicated clinical database were linked with health services databases to capture hospital admissions, emergency department (ED) presentations and ambulatory care (MBS) utilization and cost for the period 2008-2015. Healthcare cost determinants were estimated using logistic regression.Results
Among 1085 SSc patients, 48.6% experienced a DU over a mean follow-up of 5.2?±?2.5?years. Those who developed DUs were more likely to have diffuse disease subtype (34.9% vs 18.2%, p?ConclusionDUs place a large burden on the patient and healthcare system through reduced HRQoL and increased healthcare resource utilization and associated cost.
SUBMITTER: Morrisroe K
PROVIDER: S-EPMC6929369 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Dec
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Morrisroe Kathleen K Stevens Wendy W Sahhar Joanne J Ngian Gene-Siew GS Ferdowsi Nava N Hill Catherine L CL Roddy Janet J Walker Jennifer J Proudman Susanna S Nikpour Mandana M
Arthritis research & therapy 20191223 1
<h4>Background</h4>To determine the frequency and clinical characteristics of systemic sclerosis-related digital ulcers, and associated direct health care costs, quality of life, and survival.<h4>Methods</h4>Digital ulcers (DUs) were defined as an area with a visually discernible depth and a loss of continuity of epithelial coverage. DU severity was calculated based on the physician reported highest number of new DUs at clinical review (mild = 1-5 DUs, moderate 6-10 DUs, severe > 10 DUs). Health ...[more]