Baseline characteristics of the SSc cohort (N = 504).
| Demographic data | N | % or mean (SD) |
|---|---|---|
| Women | 504 | 86 |
| Age, yrs | 504 | 55.5 (12.5) |
| Education (more than high school) | 501 | 46 |
| Currently employed/in school | 504 | 39 |
| Yearly family income ≥ $50,000 | 440 | 47 |
| Disease characteristics | ||
| Disease duration since onset of first non-Raynaud’s manifestation of SSc, yrs | 504 | 10.5 (8.6) |
| Diffuse skin involvement | 504 | 44 |
| Meet American College of Rheumatology criteria for SSc | 501 | 81 |
| Physician global assessment of disease severity (range 0–10) | 504 | 2.8 (2.3) |
| Patient global assessment of disease severity (range 0–10) | 502 | 3.6 (2.6) |
| Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disability Index (range 0–3) | 504 | 0.82 (0.70) |
| Center for Epidemiologic Studies — Depression scale (range 0–60) | 504 | 14.2 (10.6) |
| SF-36 physical component summary score | 504 | 36.7 (11.2) |
| SF-36 mental component summary score | 504 | 49.0 (11.7) |