A Unique Gastrointestinal Symptom Profile Distinguishes Clinically Significant Fatigue in Systemic Sclerosis
By
Francesco Bonomi
Silvia Peretti
Giulia Bandini
Veronica De Silvestri
Cristiano Barbetta
Ilenia Mallia
Khadija El Aoufy
Ginevra Fiori
Serena Guiducci
Alberto Moggi Pignone
Zsuzsanna H. McMahan
Marco Matucci-Cerinic
Cosimo Bruni
Michael Hughes
Silvia Bellando Randone
September 8, 2026
Clinical Scorecard: A Unique Gastrointestinal Symptom Profile Distinguishes Clinically Significant Fatigue in Systemic Sclerosis
At a Glance
Category Detail
Condition Systemic Sclerosis (SSc) Key Mechanisms Fatigue is multifactorial, influenced by organ involvement, pain, psychosocial factors, and gastrointestinal symptoms. Target Population Patients with systemic sclerosis attending a tertiary referral center. Care Setting Tertiary referral center for systemic sclerosis.
Key Highlights
Fatigue is a major contributor to impaired quality of life in SSc. Gastrointestinal involvement is a prominent correlate of fatigue. Individual GI symptoms may have distinct implications for fatigue management. The study utilized the FACIT-Fatigue questionnaire for fatigue evaluation. Clinical assessments included various disease-related and demographic data. Guideline-Based Recommendations
Diagnosis
Use the 2013 ACR/EULAR classification criteria for SSc. Management
Assess individual GI symptoms to tailor fatigue management strategies. Monitoring & Follow-up
Evaluate fatigue severity using the FACIT-Fatigue scale. Risks
Higher Charlson Comorbidity Index scores indicate greater disease burden and increased mortality risk. Patient & Prescribing Data
Adults aged 18 and older with systemic sclerosis.
Fatigue management should consider the multifactorial nature of symptoms, particularly GI involvement.
Clinical Best Practices
Incorporate fatigue assessments into routine clinical evaluations. Utilize validated PROMs like FACIT-Fatigue for monitoring patient-reported outcomes. Consider individual GI symptoms in the management of fatigue. Related Resources & Content
