Clinical associations of worsening physical function as measured by HAQ-DI scores in systemic sclerosis

Abstract

Background: Functional disability is a major concern for individuals with systemic sclerosis (SSc). The Health Assessment Questionnaire–Disability Index (HAQ-DI) measures the ability to perform activities of daily living, with higher scores indicating poorer function. Objective: To define the frequency and clinical associations of minimum clinically important difference (MCID) change in HAQ-DI scores in SSc. Methods: Australian Scleroderma Cohort Study participants with two or more HAQ-DI scores ⩽ 2 visits apart were included. Generalised estimating equations were used to model the correlates of the MCID improvement (-0.125 points) and MCID worsening (+0.14 points) of HAQ-DI scores. Subgroup..