Open Access2013 Classification Criteria for Systemic Sclerosis: An American College of Rheumatology/European League Against Rheumatism Collaborative Initiative
Author(s) -
Hoogen Frank,
Khanna Dinesh,
Fransen Jaap,
Johnson Sindhu R.,
Baron Murray,
Tyndall Alan,
MatucciCerinic Marco,
Naden Raymond P.,
Medsger Thomas A.,
Carreira Patricia E.,
Riemekasten Gabriela,
Clements Philip J.,
Denton Christopher P.,
Distler Oliver,
Allanore Yannick,
Furst Daniel E.,
Gabrielli Armando,
Mayes Maureen D.,
Laar Jacob M.,
Seibold James R.,
Czirjak Laszlo,
Steen Virginia D.,
Inanc Murat,
KowalBielecka Otylia,
MüllerLadner Ulf,
Valentini Gabriele,
Veale Douglas J.,
Vonk Madelon C.,
Walker Ulrich A.,
Chung Lorinda,
Collier David H.,
Csuka Mary Ellen,
Fessler Barri J.,
Guiducci Serena,
Herrick Ariane,
Hsu Vivien M.,
Jimenez Sergio,
Kahaleh Bashar,
Merkel Peter A.,
Sierakowski Stanislav,
Silver Richard M.,
Simms Robert W.,
Varga John,
Pope Janet E.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
arthritis & rheumatism
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1529-0131
pISSN - 0004-3591
DOI - 10.1002/art.38098
Subject(s) - medicine , rheumatism , rheumatology , scleroderma (fungus) , dermatology , physical therapy , pathology , inoculation
Objective The 1980 American College of Rheumatology (ACR) classification criteria for systemic sclerosis (SSc) lack sensitivity for early SSc and limited cutaneous SSc. The present work, by a joint committee of the ACR and the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR), was undertaken for the purpose of developing new classification criteria for SSc. Methods Using consensus methods, 23 candidate items were arranged in a multicriteria additive point system with a threshold to classify cases as SSc. The classification system was reduced by clustering items and simplifying weights. The system was tested by 1) determining specificity and sensitivity in SSc cases and controls with scleroderma‐like disorders, and 2) validating against the combined view of a group of experts on a set of cases with or without SSc. Results It was determined that skin thickening of the fingers extending proximal to the metacarpophalangeal joints is sufficient for the patient to be classified as having SSc; if that is not present, 7 additive items apply, with varying weights for each: skin thickening of the fingers, fingertip lesions, telangiectasia, abnormal nailfold capillaries, interstitial lung disease or pulmonary arterial hypertension, Raynaud's phenomenon, and SSc‐related autoantibodies. Sensitivity and specificity in the validation sample were, respectively, 0.91 and 0.92 for the new classification criteria and 0.75 and 0.72 for the 1980 ACR classification criteria. All selected cases were classified in accordance with consensus‐based expert opinion. All cases classified as SSc according to the 1980 ACR criteria were classified as SSc with the new criteria, and several additional cases were now considered to be SSc. Conclusion The ACR/EULAR classification criteria for SSc performed better than the 1980 ACR criteria for SSc and should allow for more patients to be classified correctly as having the disease.