New Classification Criteria for Systemic Sclerosis (Scleroderma).

The American College of Rheumatology (ACR)/European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) criteria for the classification of systemic sclerosis (SSc) were developed to classify more patients with SSc for studies and improve on previous criteria. The new classification criteria have the following criteria: skin thickening of the fingers extending proximal to the metacarpophalangeal joints. Seven additive items are each given a numerical weight: skin thickening, fingertip lesions, telangiectasia, abnormal nail fold capillaries, lung involvement, Raynaud's phenomenon, and SSc-related autoantibodies. The ACR/EULAR classification criteria for SSc have good sensitivity and specificity but do not substitute for diagnostic criteria.