Digital Ischemic Lesions in Scleroderma Treated With Oral Treprostinil Diethanolamine

Net ulcer burden was defined as the number of "new" or "active" digital ulcers (DU), plus the number of "indeterminate" DUs at that assessment that have previously been classified as either "active" or "new" at any earlier assessment during the study. A DU was defined as an area with visually discernable depth and a loss of continuity of epithelial coverage, which could be denuded or covered by a scab or necrotic tissue. If denuded, the DU was pronounced "active." If denudation could not be judged because of the presence of scab or necrotic tissue, DU presenting with features, including underlying pain, based on Investigator clinical judgment to be consistent with loss of epithelialization, epidermis, or dermis, and requiring treatment were designated as "active." Otherwise, the DU was pronounced "indeterminate." Only DUs distal to the proximal interphalangeal joints, volar to the equator of the finger, not localized in creases and vascular in origin were assessed.

Digital ulcer pain was rated on a 100-mm VAS on which subjects were asked to rate their average overall hand pain during the last week. The recorded value was divided by 10, with values ranging from 0.0 (no pain) to 10.0 (unbearable pain), expressed to one decimal.

Patients rated their global impression of digital ulcer severity on a 15-cm VAS from scaled 0 (no disease activity) to 100 (very severe disease).

The term "severity" was used to measure the extent of disease activity and associated disability or discomfort the patient experienced during the indicated time period.

Physicians rated their global impression of digital ulcer severity on a 15-cm VAS from scaled 0 (no disease activity) to 100 (very severe disease).

The term "severity" was used to measure the extent of disease activity and associated disability or discomfort the patient experienced during the indicated time period.

The CHFS has been demonstrated as a reliable and valid assessment of hand function at the activity level in persons with SSc. It is comprised of 18 questions with possible integer responses of 0 (without difficulty) to 5 (impossible). The CHFS Score is simply the sum of all 18 questions, divided by the number of questions actually answered, multiplied by 18. At least 10 of the 18 questions must have been answered in order for CHFS to be calculated. Therefore, CHFS Score values can range from 0 (least limitation) to 90 (most limitation). A higher score indicates more difficulty in hand function or greater disability.

The SHAQ is a patient self-administered instrument which has been previously validated in SSc and demonstrates meaningful clinical changes in the course of the disease over time. It is comprised of a 20 question instrument pertaining to specific activities with possible integer responses of 0 (without any difficulty) to 3 (unable to do), and five additional scleroderma-specific visual analog scale (VAS) domains (Overall Disease Activity, Raynaud's Phenomenon, Finger Ulcers, Breathing, and Intestinal Problems) with possible values ranging from 0.0 to 15.0. The 20 questions are divided into eight domains. A mean score is calculated for each domain ranging from 0 to 3. A composite HAQ DI score is calculated by dividing the summed domain scores by the number of domains answered. The composite score is reported, falling between 0 and 3 on an ordinal scale. The scores are interpreted as 0 (no impairment in function) to 3 (maximal impairment of function).

The skin thickening was assessed by the Investigator in 17 body areas: fingers, hands, forearms, arms, feet, legs, and thighs (bilaterally) and face, chest, and abdomen (singly). Each area was scored 0-3; 0 representing normal skin and 3 being severe thickening. The mRSS was the sum of the individual skin assessment scores: possible range of 0-51; 0 (no thickening) to 51 (severe thickening in all 17 areas) .

The SF-MPQ assessment has three component scores: the pain rating index (PRI), a pain visual analogue numerical scale (Pain VAS) and the present pain intensity (PPI). PRI is calculated by summing the responses (0=None to 3=Severe) to the 15 questions describing pain during the previous week and rated on an intensity scale as 0= none, 1= mild, 2= moderate or 3= severe and has possible values ranging from 0 to 45. The Pain VAS is a 100 mm VAS on which subjects were asked to rate pain during the previous week with values ranging from no pain (0.0) to worst possible pain (10.0). The PPI rated pain on a 6-point category scale from 0 (no pain) to 5 (excruciating pain).

The PIC questionnaire consisted of three Likert items that asked the subject to rate changes in their digital ulcer, Raynaud's phenomenon and disease status since their last visit on a seven-level scale (very much improved, much improved, somewhat improved, same, somewhat worse, much worse and very much worse).

Change in patient quality of life was measured by the Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36), a self-administered questionnaire covering eight areas: physical function, physical role, bodily pain, general health, vitality, social function, emotional role, and mental health. For each area, the score range from 0 (poorer health status) to 100 (better health status). The SF-36 is one of the most widely used and validated instruments to assess quality of life in patients with systemic illnesses. A decrease (negative change) in a domain score corresponds to deterioration.

A subject was counted as having all ulcers completely healed at the earliest assessment for which all ulcers are designated as "healed" and no new ulcers appeared for the remainder of the trial.

A subject was counted as having all ulcers completely healed at the earliest assessment for which all ulcers are designated as "healed" and no new ulcers appeared for the remainder of the trial. The time to complete healing of all ulcers were calculated as the number of days from randomization to the date of these respective assessments, provided that complete healing was achieved during the study.