[HAQ-DI Italian version in systemic sclerosis].

OBJECTIVE To investigate the Italian version of HAQ-DI (Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index) in systemic sclerosis (SSc). METHODS 121 SSc patients, satisfying ACR criteria for the classification of this disease and consecutively admitted to a tertiary Unit, were invited to participate to the study. The Italian version of HAQ-DI, as validated in rheumatoid arthritis, was administered to each of them. The relationships between this parameter and the following disease aspects: disease subset, wide extent of skin sclerosis, joint contractures, myopathy, active digital ulcers, were investigated. RESULTS HAQ-DI resulted to be 0.772+/-0.074 (mean+/-SE) Statistically significant differences in HAQ-DI scores were detected between patients with and respectively without wide extent of skin sclerosis (ie modified Rodnan skin score >14) (1.158+/-0.176 vs 0.652+/-0.076; P<0.001), joints contractures (0.839+/-0.076 vs 0.159+/-0.147; P<0.001), myopathy (1.875+/-0.184 vs 0.656+/-0.071; P<0.001), digital ulcers (1.047+/-0.135 vs 0.680+/-0.109; P=0.006). CONCLUSIONS Our data support the validity of the Italian version of HAQ-DI in SSc.