Evaluation and prescription trends in systemic sclerosis: Report of a survey among Indian rheumatologists

Abstract

Objective:

This study evaluates assessment and prescription trends in systemic sclerosis across different Indian healthcare settings, with a focus on diagnostic practices such as screening for interstitial lung disease, pulmonary hypertension, and adherence to recommended treatment protocols. The goal is to identify disparities and areas for improvement in the management of systemic sclerosis.

Methods:

A cross-sectional questionnaire-based survey was conducted among rheumatologists from teaching and non-teaching hospitals across India. Data collection focused on key diagnostic practices such as the modified Rodnan skin score, chest imaging, pulmonary function tests, and echocardiography. Organ-specific prescription trends were collected and compared between teaching and non-teaching centres.

Results:

The response rate for the survey was 70.5%. Teaching centres demonstrated higher adherence to performing modified Rodnan skin score at baseline (72.2%) compared to non-teaching hospitals (38.4%). For interstitial lung disease screening, overall, 93.7% performed chest imaging, with only 31.4% utilizing a High-Resolution CT thorax as the screening tool. Teaching centres performed 6MWT (79.5%) more often than non-teaching centres (64.7%). Echocardiography was commonly used for screening pulmonary hypertension (96.4%), while 16.5% reported using right heart catheterization. Steroids were used by 79.9% of participants at low doses (<10 mg) for a duration of less than 3 months, commonly for myositis(68%). Methotrexate(49.8%) and mycophenolate (38.3%) were the most prescribed first-line agents for systemic sclerosis-skin involvement. For systemic sclerosis-interstitial lung disease, mycophenolate (95%) was the most commonly used immunosuppression. Sequential addition of antifibrotic(62.4%) to immunosuppression was preferred over an upfront combination in systemic sclerosis-interstitial lung disease. The majority treated uncomplicated Raynaud’s phenomenon with calcium channel blockers, followed by PDE5 inhibitors (61.4%). An upfront combination of endothelin receptor antagonists and PDE5i for systemic sclerosis-pulmonary hypertension was reported by 42.2%.

Conclusion:

The study highlights differences in systemic sclerosis management trends among Indian rheumatologists. Despite variations in disease-encounter and practice settings, adherence to international recommendations in key domains and areas for further improvement are brought to light.