The assessment of psychological well-being in systemic sclerosis: a clinimetric validation

Danilo Carrozzino, Kaj Sparle Christensen, Serena Guiducci, Annachiara Marangoni, Sara Romanazzo, Fiammetta Cosci

Findings indicate that WHO-5 and PWB-6 are valid indices of psychological well-being that may provide unique prognostic information and help researchers and clinicians tailor personalized treatment strategies. The two PROMs can be used jointly but for different clinical purposes. WHO-5 is particularly suitable to assess the degree of subjective vitality, a positive feeling of aliveness and energy that may help SSc patients cope with their illness. The PWB-6 can be used to identify unique experiences of psychological well-being that may help SSc patients not only cope with their feelings of loneliness and uncertainty but also experience a meaningful life despite the progression of disease. In clinical research and daily practice, the baseline and follow-up use of WHO-5 and PWB-6 may thus lead to a substantial improvement in the quality of care of patients with SSc. Given the cross-sectional design of the present investigation, future prospective studies are, however, recommended to further assess the predictive validity and prognostic utility of the two PROMs.