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FRI0231 treatment of digital ulcers in patients with systemic sclerosis: prospective cohort study

S. Chang, Jae-Bum Jun, Y. Lee, Taeyoung Kang, Young-Ryeol Park, S. G. Lee, Sung-Ji Lee, Eunsik Lee

Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases, 2020

76 participants

Abstract

Digital ulcer (DU) is a common clinical manifestation in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). About 70% of patients with SSc experience DUs during the first 10 years, which limit daily activities and may result in digital gangrene or amputation. Several vasoactive/vasodilating agents have been suggested for treatment, but few studies have compared the efficacy of those drugs.The objective of our study was to compare the efficacy of medical treatment for SSc related-DUs, focusing on on endothelin receptor antagonist (ERA) and phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors (PDE5inh).In this prospective observational cohort study, we recruited patients who had one or more active SSc-related DUs and newly started or changed a medical treatment for SSc-related DUs from 13 medical centers in South Korea. The primary outcome was to compare the time to resolution of cardinal DU (CU) according to the treatments. The secondary outcomes included changes in the size or number of CU and changes in the number of DUs. CU was defined as the most clinically significant DU chosen by the investigators. Patients were followed up at every 4 weeks after enrollment until 12 weeks and finally at 24 weeks.Seventy-one patients were enrolled. Seven patients were excluded due to follow-up loss or withdrawal of consent. A total of 64 patients were analyzed. Seventy-eight percent (n=50) were female. The mean age at enrollment was 49.6 ± 11.6 year-old, and the mean disease duration was 7.1 ± 5.9 years. Twenty-eights…

How strong is the evidence?

Evidence Hub reads this as a cohort study, done in people. Its evidence level is 3 of 5 (Moderate · trial / cohort / secondary analysis). Trials without a large randomized design, cohorts and secondary analyses give moderate evidence. Reported size: 76 participants or records.

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