Inter and intraobserver variability of total skin thickness score (modified Rodnan TSS) in systemic sclerosis.

Abstract

The m-Rodnan total skin thickness score is at least as reliable for measuring skin thickness in SSc as are the ARA and Ritchie joint tenderness counts for assessing joint disease in rheumatoid arthritis. These data are useful for the determination of sample size and for the definitions of clinically meaningful response. Assessment of skin score is sufficiently reproducible to include as a measure of disease outcome, especially if patients are serially evaluated by the same investigator.