Applying the ACR/EULAR Systemic Sclerosis Classification Criteria to the Spanish Scleroderma Registry Cohort

J Rheumatol. 2015 Dec;42(12):2327-31. doi: 10.3899/jrheum.150144. Epub 2015 Oct 15.

Abstract

Objective: To compare American College of Rheumatology/European League Against Rheumatism (ACR/EULAR) classification criteria for systemic sclerosis (SSc) with previous American Rheumatology Association (ARA) criteria.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional multicenter study comparing sensitivity of both criteria in the cutaneous subsets in the Spanish scleroderma registry (RESCLE) cohort.

Results: In 1222 patients with SSc, the most prevalent items were Raynaud phenomenon (95%), skin thickening (91%), and abnormal capillaroscopy (89%). ARA criteria classified as SSc 63.5% of all patients, and 63%, 100%, 11.2%, and 0% in the limited, diffuse, sine, and pre-SSc subsets, respectively. ACR/EULAR criteria classified 87.5% of all patients and 98.5%, 100%, 41.8%, and 15.9% in the same subsets, respectively.

Conclusion: ACR/EULAR criteria are more sensitive than ARA criteria, especially in limited, sine, and pre-SSc subsets.

Keywords: CLASSIFICATION CRITERIA; SYSTEMIC SCLEROSIS.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Multicenter Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Cohort Studies
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Europe
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Registries*
  • Scleroderma, Systemic / classification*
  • Scleroderma, Systemic / epidemiology
  • Scleroderma, Systemic / physiopathology*
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Spain
  • United States