The Italian version of the systemic sclerosis questionnaire: a comparison of quality of life in patients with systemic sclerosis and with other connective tissue disorders

Aim. Aim of the present study was to measure disability among patients with systemic sclerosis or other connective tissue disorders, using the specific Systemic Sclerosis Questionnaire (SySQ) and the Skindex-17. Methods. Cross-sectional survey on hospitalized and day-hospital female patients in a dermatological setting, during March-May 2013. Comparison of disability and quality of life scores between patients in the two diagnostic groups. Results. The use of these questionnaires in a clinical setting was well accepted. The levels of disability were slightly greater among women with systemic sclerosis in terms of general and musculoskeletal symptoms, while women with other connective tissue disorders had higher cardiopulmonary scores. The correlation between SySQ and Skindex-17 scores was low-moderate, indicating that the instruments indeed measure related but distinct constructs. Conclusion. The Italian version of the SySQ may provide an additional tool for dermatologists, both in the research and clinical setting. Furthermore, its use may be extended to the medical as well as to the nursing clinical practice. Results from SySQ can be very useful for dermatological nursing-care for the implementation of educational plans targeted to patients, with the objective of enabling the patients to self-manage the disability of this severe chronic condition also outside of the strictly clinical setting.