Criteria of Valentini et al (European Scleroderma Study Group) for Activity of Diffuse and Limited Systemic Sclerosis

Parameters:

(1) scleredema (increase in soft tissue mass due to dermal imbibition, with abolishment of skin contours and skin folds)

(2) change in skin (delta skin - Did your skin manifestations change during the last month?)

(3) change in vascular manifestations (delta vascular - Did your vascular manifestations change during the last month?)

(4) arthritis (symmetrical swelling and tenderness of the peripheral joints)

(5) change in articular and muscular manifestations (delta articular/muscular - Did your articular or muscular manifestations change during the last month?)

(6) change in heart and lung (delta heart/lung - Did your cardiopulmonary manifestations change during the last month?)

(7) Westergren erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)

(8) serum complement (hypocomplementemia)

index for diffuse scleroderma =

= SUM(points for all 4 parameters)

index for localized scleroderma =

= SUM(points for all 7 parameters)

Interpretation:

• minimum index: 0

• maximum for each index: 10

• An index >= 3 indicates active disease.