Ross L, Stevens W, Wilson M, et al. - Researchers intended to determine if there is a connection between patient-reported symptoms and changes in disease activity over time in systemic sclerosis (SSc). Using data from 1,636 individuals enlisted in the Australian Scleroderma Cohort Study, generalised estimating equations were used to determine the link between the patient-reported worsening of Raynaud phenomenon (RP), skin involvement and breathlessness in the month preceding each study visit and features of disease activity in the corresponding organ systems. A significant association was found between patient-reported worsening Raynaud phenomenon and the presence of digital ulcers; patient-reported worsening skin involvement and increasing modified Rodnan skin score; and worsening patient breathlessness and deteriorating respiratory functions tests, new-onset interstitial lung disease and new-onset pulmonary arterial hypertension. Findings suggested an association of patient-reported symptoms with clinically meaningful changes in disease activity in patients with SSc. This suggests that if objective measures to change the status of the disease are not available, patient-reported symptoms could be used to indicate a change in the activity of SSc-disease.