RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Patients with Systemic Sclerosis/polymyositis Overlap Have a Worse Survival Rate Than Patients Without It JF The Journal of Rheumatology JO J Rheumatol FD The Journal of Rheumatology SP 1838 OP 1843 DO 10.3899/jrheum.151425 VO 43 IS 10 A1 Kavish J. Bhansing A1 Piet L.C.M. van Riel A1 Baziel G.M. van Engelen A1 Jaap Fransen A1 Madelon C. Vonk YR 2016 UL http://www.jrheum.org/content/43/10/1838.abstract AB Objective. Studies on mortality associated with patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) and myopathy have been limited by heterogeneous definitions of muscle involvement. The objective of this study is to determine whether homogeneous-defined SSc/polymyositis overlap (SSc-PM overlap) is associated with a worse survival rate compared with SSc without PM.Methods. Data from the Nijmegen Systemic Sclerosis cohort were used. Incidence rates were calculated from the observed number of deaths and followup time. Survival analysis using Cox proportional hazard modeling was performed to compare survival among patients with SSc and patients with SSc-PM overlap, including controlling for confounders. All patients with SSc-PM fulfilled the Bohan and Peter criteria for PM.Results. There were 24 patients with SSc-PM (5.7%) and 396 patients with SSc (94.2%). The 5- and 10-year cumulative survival rates from diagnosis were 82% and 68% for the SSc-PM group and 93% and 87% for the SSc group, respectively. Multivariate survival analysis revealed an adjusted HR of 2.34 (95% CI 1.09–5.02) for SSc-PM compared with SSc, with age at diagnosis, modified Rodnan skin score, diffuse cutaneous subtype, and male sex included as confounders. The most common cause of death among patients with SSc-PM overlap was cardiopulmonary involvement (63%), which was similar to the patients with SSc (51%).Conclusion. Patients with SSc-PM overlap have a worse survival rate compared with patients with SSc.