What is the Optimal Follow-up for Patients With Systemic Sclerosis?

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a complex multisystem rheumatic autoimmune disease. Currently, evidence based guidelines for frequency and intensity of follow-up of SSc patients are not available. Based on expert consensus annual extensive evaluation is recommended. To provide comprehensive multidisciplinary care integrated with evaluation of organ involvement and as such, reducing health care utilization while improving the quality of care for the patient, the "Leiden Combined Care in SSc (CCISS) pathway" was started in 2009. Data collected on disease progression in the patients that participate in this care pathway show that 50% of the patients have relatively mild disease, without any disease progression over time. Therefore there is a need for tailor made care in SSc patients in accordance to disease activity. To enable this, a prediction model was developed that can identify patients with low risk for disease progression.