Date of Award

2011

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

Program

Epidemiology and Biostatistics

Supervisor

Dr. Janet Pope

Abstract

The goal of this study was to assess socioeconomic status (SES) as a social determinant of outcomes in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). In systemic lupus erythematosus, SES has a large effect on outcomes. It is unknown what the effect of SES is on outcomes in SSc. SES is often measured by income, occupation and education. In SSc, highest education would be attained decades prior to disease onset whereas current income and occupation could be low due to SSc and thus would confound interpretation of effect of SES on SSc. Therefore, education was used as a measure of SES in this study. Bivariate, regression and survival analyses were used to study the effect of education on SSc outcome. Education had a very limited role as a risk factor of poor outcome in SSc. It had a significant statistical association with forced vital capacity in case of limited SSc only.

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