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Introduction. Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a chronic rheumatic disease that affects multiple organ systems, including the peripheral nervous system. However, studies into the involvement of polyneuropathies (PNP) have shown inconsistent results. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of small (SFN) and large (LFN) fibre neuropathy among SSc patients and the impact on health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Material and methods.The study enrolled 67 patients with diagnosed SSc. The severity of neuropathic symptoms was evaluated using shortened and revised total neuropathy scoring criteria. Nerve conduction studies were used for LFN, and quantitative sensory testing was used to evaluate SFN. Neuropathic pain was evaluated using a Douleur Neuropathique en 4 questionnaire, and the severity of anxiety symptoms was assessed using a Generalised Anxiety Disorder-7 scale. The Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disability Index was used to assess HRQoL. Previous data on antinuclear autoantibodies (ANA) test results was obtained. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software.Results. LFN was diagnosed in 47.8% (n = 32/67) and SFN in 40.3% (n = 27/67) of the subjects. ANA positivity was not associated with the presence of LFN/SFN. The severity of neuropathic pain had a significant correlation with anxiety symptoms (r = 0.61, p < 0.001), the severity of neuropathy symptoms (r = 0.51, p < 0.001) and HRQoL (r = 0.45, p < 0.001). The severity of neuropathy symptoms correlated with HRQoL (r = 0.39, p = 0.001).Conclusions. We demonstrated that PNP are found in almost all SSc patients. Also, SFN is as common as LFN. Additionally, we found that the severity of neuropathy symptoms and neuropathic pain are both associated with a worse HRQoL.

The aim of this study was to analyse the rheumatic disease profile and treatment aspects of the patients consulted in the outpatient department of Pauls Stradiņš Clinical University Hospital during the first month of the COVID-19 pandemic from 2020 March 13 till April 14. A total of 457 (76.04%) remote and 144 (23.96%) face-to-face consultations were analysed, totalling 601 patients: 434 (72.21%) females and 167 (27.79%) males with mean age 51.40 ± 14.73 years. Rheumatoid arthritis (223 (37.10%)), psoriatic arthritis (93 (15.47%)) and ankylosing spondylitis (80 (13.31%)) were the most frequently consulted conditions. Disease modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) or immunosuppressants (IS) were taken by 515 (85.69%) patients. These included synthetic DMARD (242 (46.99%)), mainly methotrexate; and biologic DMARD (156 (30.29%)), mainly tumour necrosis factor inhibitor. More than one-half of the cohort (427 (71.05%)) was not taking a glucocorticoid (GC). NSAIDs were used in 391 (65.08%) patients, mainly on demand (354 (90.54%)). Most patients (401 (66.72%)) had no comorbidities (hypertension, diabetes, malignancy and/or chronic respiratory disease). The profile of patients consulted in the outpatient department consisted mainly of middle-age females with autoimmune inflammatory arthritis treated by DMARD. Most of the patients did not use GCs, they did not regularly use NSAIDs and did not have comorbidities. Telemedicine is an acceptable way of care delivery for chronic rheumatic patients with previously known disease and treatment, especially during a pandemic.