RMD Open · 18 authors, 7 centres
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This retrospective cohort study of 643 systemic sclerosis patients found that the time from symptom onset to diagnosis decreased over three time periods, suggesting earlier recognition of the disease. Male patients had consistently higher mortality than female patients.
The study analyzed data from 643 SSc patients in the Leiden CCISS cohort, grouped by year of entry into three time periods (2010-2013, 2014-2017, 2018-2021). It evaluated whether early recognition of SSc improved over time by comparing disease duration at cohort entry and disease characteristics. The central finding was that the duration between symptom onset and cohort entry decreased over time in both sexes, though it remained longer in females. The proportion of patients presenting with digital ulcers decreased, and a reduction was observed in patients presenting with clinically meaningful interstitial lung disease and diffuse cutaneous SSc. Survival from disease onset was analyzed; overall 8-year survival was 59% for males and 89% for females, with a trend for improvement over time and consistently worse survival in males. Limitations include the monocentric nature, potential referral bias, recall bias in disease duration assessment, and relatively short follow-up for a chronic disease. The findings suggest more timely diagnosis may be occurring, providing opportunities for early intervention.
