The Prognostic and Functional Impact of Multimorbidity in Systemic Sclerosis

Abstract

Objective: Our objective was to define the frequency and impact of multimorbidity in systemic sclerosis (SSc). Method: Australian Scleroderma Cohort Study participants meeting American College of Rheumatology/EULAR criteria were included. Charlson Comorbidity Index scores were calculated at each visit, with multimorbidity defined as scores ≥4. Generalized estimating equations were used to model longitudinal data in multivariable models including age, sex, subclass, interstitial lung disease, and pulmonary arterial hypertension status. Survival was analyzed using Cox hazard modeling. Results: Of 2,000 participants, 85% were female, 27% had diffuse SSc, and 20% had multimorbidity. Among those ..