Skin thickness score as a predictor and correlate of outcome in systemic sclerosis: High-dose versus low-dose penicillamine trial

Abstract

A baseline skin score > or =20 was associated with heart involvement at baseline and predicted mortality and SRC over the subsequent 4 years. Improvement in skin score in these patients with diffuse cutaneous scleroderma was associated with improvement in hand function, inflammatory indices, joint contractures, arthritis signs, overall functional ability, and the examining investigator's global assessment of improvement.