Table 1

SCTC-DI final items—coefficient calculations and weighted score

ItemMortality coeffMorbidity coeffCombined coeffWeighted
score
Musculoskeletal and skin
1Joint contracture defined as any degree of contracture with the inability to reduce the joint to the anatomically neutral position in any small joint of the fingers.−0.350.490.492
2Joint contracture defined as any degree of contracture with the inability to reduce the joint to the anatomically neutral position in the large joints, specifically elbows and knees.−0.350.490.492
3Sicca symptoms defined as presence of patient-reported dry eyes and/or dry mouth requiring treatment on a daily basis, for example, lubricant eye-drops, punctual plugs, saliva replacement.−0.100.750.753
4Proximal muscle weakness on clinical examination defined as shoulder abduction and/or hip or knee flexion less than 5/5 power (not due to contracture or pain).0.600.920.763
5Calcinosis complicated by infection or requiring surgery.−0.211.081.084
Vascular
6Digital ulceration defined as loss of epithelialisation, of any degree, of the epidermis, the dermis and/or the subcutaneous tissue, distal to or at the proximal interphalangeal joint of the hands or feet not thought to be due to trauma and refractory to therapy.0.790.370.582
7Digital amputation (surgical or autoamputation).0.961.091.033
Gastrointestinal
8Oesophageal dysmotility defined as distal dysphagia refractory to treatment with differential diagnoses (eg, oesophageal stricture or malignancy) excluded by endoscopy.−0.210.120.121
9Pseudo-obstruction with symptoms such as vomiting or constipation, with dilatation of the small and/or large bowel on imaging.0.93−0.820.933
10Low body mass index of <18.5 kg/m2 or weight loss of >10% in the last 12 months.0.680.740.712
11Gastric antral vascular ectasia confirmed on endoscopy.0.670.320.502
12Oesophageal stricture confirmed on testing such as endoscopy or barium swallow.0.150.200.181
13Symptoms of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (heart burn) refractory to treatment and confirmed on endoscopy.0.030.710.371
Respiratory
14Moderate to severe interstitial lung disease with >20% extent on HRCT of the chest.0.190.970.582
15Moderate to severe interstitial lung disease with >20% extent on HRCT of the chest and forced vital capacity <70% on lung function tests.1.112.471.796
16Dependence on home oxygen.0.881.991.445
Cardiovascular
17Pulmonary arterial hypertension (defined as mean pulmonary arterial pressure >25 mm Hg at rest and pulmonary arterial wedge pressure <15 mm Hg on right heart catheterisation).0.750.590.672
18Moderate to severe right ventricular dysfunction noted on echocardiography report based on assessment of any measure of RV function by experienced cardiologist.1.812.492.157
19Myocardial disease attributable to SSc based on a constellation of clinical features and supportive investigations, for example, syncope secondary to conduction abnormality, arrhythmia requiring defibrillator, heart block requiring permanent pacemaker or ablation, systolic or diastolic dysfunction on TTE.0.850.770.813
20Presence of moderate to large pericardial effusion equivalent to greater than 1 cm on TTE.0.450.090.271
Renal
21History of scleroderma renal crisis (SRC), either hypertensive or normotensive, as defined by the International Scleroderma Renal Crisis Study Investigators.45 0.461.541.003
22History of SRC or other SSc-related kidney disease and persistent renal impairment with estimated glomerular filtration rate <45 mL/min/1.73 m2. 0.661.761.214
23SRC with stage 5 renal impairment defined as need for renal replacement therapy.1.082.161.625
  • Coeff, coefficient;HRCT, high-resolution CT;RV, right ventricular;SCTC-DI, Scleroderma Clinical Trials Consortium-Damage Index; SSc, systemic sclerosis; TTE, transthoracic echocardiogram.