Rheumatic Disease Comorbidity Index (RDCI), Disease's Parameters, and Quality of Life among Systemic Sclerosis Patients

Abdelsalam, Noha A.; Abd Elkhalek, Reham; Abdelsalam, Samar A.; Kamal, Doaa E.

doi:10.21608/zumj.2025.375544.3905

Rheumatic Disease Comorbidity Index (RDCI), Disease's Parameters, and Quality of Life among Systemic Sclerosis Patients

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Rheumatology and Rehabilitation Department, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt

² Rheumatology and Rehabilitation Department, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt.

³ Lecturer of Family Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt.

10.21608/zumj.2025.375544.3905

Abstract

Background: Comorbidities are common in autoimmune diseases and are associated with adverse outcomes, increased morbidity, and mortality. This research aimed to assess the Rheumatic Disease Comorbidity Index (RDCI) among systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients and to study the disease's parameters and quality of life (QoL) and their relations with RDCI.

Methods: A cross-sectional study included 61 SSc patients attending Rheumatology clinics, Zagazig University Hospitals- Egypt. Demographic, clinical, and laboratory data were recorded. RDCI, disease activity, disease severity, and SSc quality of life (SScQoL) questionnaire were assessed.

Results: About one-third (32.8%) of the SSc patients had more comorbidities (RDCI score > median (2)). There were significant associations between RDCI and disease activity, disease severity, SScQoL, arthritis, GIT manifestations, other co-morbidities, liver disorders, and renal stones (P= 0.013*, 0.008*, 0.001**, 0.013*, 0.01*, 0.030*, 0.004*, & 0.040*, respectively) and patients with these parameters were (6.4, 4.5, 7.7, 6.4, 7.0, 7.9, 5.9, & 4.4, respectively) times more likely to have more comorbidity of RDCI. RDCI showed significant positive correlations with disease activity (r=+0.364, P=0.004*), disease severity (r=+0.268, P=0.037*), and SScQoL scores (r=+0.661, P≤0.001**). On logistic regression model, disease severity (>6), lower QoL (SScQoL >17), and liver disorders were independent predictors for developing more comorbidities.

Conclusion: Significant positive correlations exist between RDCI score and SSc activity, severity, and SScQoL scores. Higher disease severity, lower QoL, and liver disorders are independent predictors for developing more comorbidities (RDCI >2) in SSc. RDCI can be a crucial method for assessing comorbidities in SSc.

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