The correlation between durometer score and modified Rodnan skin score in systemic sclerosis

Abstract

The aims of the present study were to determine the correlation between durometer scores with modified Rodnan skin scores (MRSS), scleroderma symptoms, and physical functions. A total of 31 patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc, 16 diffuse and 15 limited type) were enrolled in this study. Skin involvement was measured using a durometer and MRSS. Health assessment questionnaire (HAQ) disability indices, Keitel function test (KTF) scores, grip strengths, and scleroderma-visual analog scale (scleroderma-VAS) scores were measured. The correlations between durometer scores with MRSS, HAQ disability indices, and scleroderma-VAS scores were assessed. Durometer scores correlated well with MRSS at fingers, hands, forearms, upper arms, thighs, and feet, but poorly correlated with MRSS at the chest, abdomen, and lower legs. Total durometer scores correlated well with MRSS (r = 0.537, P = 0.002) and KTF scores (r = 0.608, P < 0.001), but poorly correlated with HAQ disability indices (r = 0.202, P = 0.276), and individual scleroderma-VAS scores. Durometer-measured skin hardnesses were found to correlate well with the MRSS scores of fingers, hands, forearms, upper arms, thighs, and feet. The authors suggest that these skin sites should be included when durometer measurements are made in systemic sclerosis.