| Name of the Instrument/Tool | Digital Ulcer Clinical Assessment Score (DUCAS) |
| First Description |
Bruni C, Ngcozana T, Braschi F, Pucci T, Piemonte G, Benelli L, et al. Preliminary Validation of the Digital Ulcer Clinical Assessment Score in Systemic Sclerosis. J Rheumatol. 2019;46(6):603-608. |
| Year | 2019 |
| Domains | |
| Concept of constructs | Damage |
| Population/Disease | Disease specific |
| Originally developed for | Systemic sclerosis |
| Other rheumatic diseases where can be applied (only if validated) |
--- |
| Additional population with no rheumatic diseases |
No |
| Language: Originally published in | English |
| Available in Language | Italian |
| REFERENCE IDENTIFICATION | |
| Author/s | Bruni C, Ngcozana T, Braschi F, Pucci T, Piemonte G, Benelli L, Poli M, Suliman YA, Guiducci S, Bellando-Randone S, Balduzzi S, Grotts J, Denton CP, Rasero L, Montecucco C, Furst DE, Matucci-Cerinic M |
| Title | Preliminary Validation of the Digital Ulcer Clinical Assessment Score in Systemic Sclerosis |
| Journal | J Rheumatol |
| Year | 2019 |
| Vol | 46 |
| Num | 6 |
| Pages | 603-608 |
| Country | Italy |
| Language | English |
| Other references of interest | |
| Link | https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33091259/ |
| Brief Description |
An Update of Outcome Measures in Systemic Sclerosis |
| Link | https://www.researchgate.net/publication/328972828_Prelimina … |
| Brief Description |
Preliminary Validation of the DUCAS |
| Instrument/Tool Translations References | |
| No other References. | |
| DEVELOPER CONTACT INFORMATION | |
| Correspondence to | Cosimo Bruni |
| cosimobruni85@gmail.com | |
| Address | --- |
| Website | --- |
| Available | --- |
| Links | --- |
| DESCRIPTION OF THE INSTRUMENT | |
| Type Of Measure | Scale |
| Brief Description |
The DUCAS is a clinical score for SSc-related DU. For this score, a DU is defined as “a loss of epidermal covering with a break in the basement membrane; appearing clinically as visible blood vessels, fibrin, granulation tissue and/or underlying deeper structures or as it would be appear on debridement”. |
| Number of Items | 7 |
| Range | 0 to 19.5 |
| Responses options/scale |
No |
| Developed for | Clinical practice, Research |
| PRACTICAL APPLICATION | |
| Method of administration | Physician |
| Recommendations to score |
The score is calculated from the sum of the seven items. The DUCAS includes items on the number of DUs, new DUs since the last evaluation, gangrene, need for surgical procedures beyond the usual standard of care, infection, need for hospitalization for DU-related issues, and need for analgesics to control DU-induced pain. Each item has its own set of variables and their associated scores. The categorical variables were assumed to be equally spaced. |
| Score Interpretation | Higher scores indicate higher damage |
| Cut-off points | The mean number of DU requiring treatment was 2.0 ± 1.4 |
| Cut-off points applied to | --- |
| Smallest detectable change if described | --- |
| Smallest detectable change applied to | --- |
| Completion time by the patient | - minutes |
| Scoring time by the assessor | - minutes |
| Training to score | Not necessary |
| Strengths | Useful in clinical practice & research, Easy to use |
| Limitations | --- |
| OTHER COMMENTS | |
| Other Comments |
DUCAS has preliminary validity with face, content, and construct validity, and good correlation with disability/functionality indices. Completion of full validation in SSc, using Outcome Measures in Rheumatology (OMERACT) criteria, and including responsiveness and discrimination, remains to be done. |