{
  "abstract": "Introduction The ABILHAND-SSc score assesses the difficulties experienced by patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) in performing daily manual activities. This tool has recently been validated for the Portuguese population. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the ABILHAND-SSc score and the clinical and functional characteristics of our cohort.Material and Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study of patients in the SSc cohort of our rheumatology centre. Data collected included clinical data, the modified Rodnan skin score (mRSS), the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy (FACIT) score and the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ). Statistical analyses were performed using IBM SPSS Statistics, Version 29.0. Correlations were assessed with Spearman’s correlation, and group comparisons were performed using the Mann–Whitney U test. A p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.Results A total of 49 patients completed the ABILHAND-SSc questionnaire. The mean age was 58,7 ± 11,6 years, and 81,6% of participants were female. The ABILHAND-SSc score ranged from 37,4% to 100%, with mean 72,8%.We observed a weak negative correlation between the ABILHAND-SSc score and age at the time of evaluation (r = -0,282, p <0,05). No significant correlations were found with age at diagnosis or disease duration.The presence of digital ulcers and pitting scars was significantly associated with lower ABILHAND-SSc scores (p = 0,01 and p = 0,02, respectively). Sclerodactyly also trended towards significant association with lower scores (p = 0,05).As expected, a history of arthritis was significantly associated with lower scores (p = 0,02). Interestingly, cardiac involvement (including heart block or heart failure) was also associated with lower scores (p = 0,03). No significant associations were found for pulmonary hypertension, interstitial lung disease, telangiectasias, gastrointestinal involvement, or calcinosis.With regard to autoantibody profiles, anti-centromere positivity was associated with higher ABILHAND-SSc scores, while anti-topoisomerase positivity was associated with lower scores (p = 0,02 for both).Finally, the ABILHAND-SSc score showed a strong positive correlation with the FACIT score, a moderate negative correlation with mRSS, and a very strong negative correlation with the HAQ (r = 0,550, r = -0,430, and r = -0,849, respectively; all p <0,001).Conclusions In conclusion, the ABILHAND-SSc score reflects both clinical and functional aspects of SSc. Strong correlations with FACIT, mRSS, and HAQ confirm its validity as a measure of functional ability in SSc. These findings support the usefulness of the ABILHAND-SSc in clinical practice and research.",
  "authors": [
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Unidade Local de Saúde, Coimbra, Portugal"
      ],
      "name": "João Oliveira"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Unidade Local de Saúde, Coimbra, Portugal"
      ],
      "name": "Filipa Canhão André"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Unidade Local de Saúde, Coimbra, Portugal"
      ],
      "name": "Paula Vincente"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Unidade Local de Saúde, Coimbra, Portugal"
      ],
      "name": "Tânia Santiago"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Unidade Local de Saúde, Coimbra, Portugal"
      ],
      "name": "Maria João Salvador"
    }
  ],
  "title": "P.296 Clinical and functional correlates of the ABILHAND-SSc score in a Portuguese systemic sclerosis cohort",
  "uid": "3a7be807-8c85-5bb7-8cf5-62128ca0e608"
}