The legs were affected in all but one case (94.1%), and 5 (29.4%) Metanicotine had generalised panniculitis affecting 2 or more limbs and the trunk. Histology was obtained in 9 (52.9%) patients and confirmed a septal pattern in 7 (77.8%). without intervention), 6 months (at the end of the treatment after 3 months of intervention) and 9 months (follow-up). The subjects were evaluated with The Short Form Health Survey, Scleroderma Health Assessment Questionnaire, altered Rodnan skin score, Abilhand-SSc, Mouth Handicap in Systemic Sclerosis Scale and mouth opening in millimeters. At the end of the study an individual qualitative interview is usually planned. Results: At present, 7 patients (Therabite n=4, mouth-stretching exercises n=3) were included and recruitment is usually ongoing. 7 patients completed their 3 months of exercises and increase of oral aperture is observed in all patients in both groups. In Metanicotine the Therabite group, after 3 months of exercise, increase of oral aperture was 10, 12, 10, and 2 mm. In the mouth-stretching exercise group the increase of oral aperture was 9, 9 and 4 mm after 3 months. The compliance, measured as the ratio of executed exercises relative to the planned number of exercises was 48,5%, 97,4%, 84,5% Metanicotine and 64,4% in the Therabite group and 98,9%, 95,2% and 68,3% in the mouth-stretching exercise group. Conclusions: An increase of oral aperture is observed in all patients after 3 months of exercising with the Therabite device as well as after mouth-stretching exercises. No clear differences are observed between both groups, but the study was not designed nor Metanicotine powered for this. Remarkably, a high compliance for the treatment regime was observed in most patients. P.270 Preliminary Data of an Intensive Physiotherapy Programme for Individuals with Systemic Sclerosis – Single-Center Controlled Study M. Spiritovic 1,2, H. Smucrova1, S. Oreska1, H. Storkanova1, P. Cesak2, A. Rathouska1, O. Ruzickova1, H. Mann1, K. Pavelka1, L. Senolt1, J. Vencovsky1, R. Becvar1, M. Tomcik1 1 Institute of Rheumatology, Department of Rheumatology, 1st Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, CZECH REPUBLIC, 2 Faculty of Physical Education and Sport, Charles University, Prague, CZECH REPUBLIC Introduction: Skin and musculoskeletal involvement in systemic sclerosis (SSc) leads to disability and reduced quality of life. Evidence of nonpharmacologic treatment in SSc is limited due to the heterogeneity of the studied interventions and outcomes. Study goals were to evaluate the effect of our physiotherapy programme on function of hands/face and quality of life. Material and Methods: All patients had skin involvement of hands/mouth and fulfilled ACR/EULAR 2013 criteria. Both groups received instructional materials for home exercise, however, only intervention group underwent the physiotherapy program. At months 0,3,6,12 all patients were assessed by a physician (physical examination, mRSS-Modified Rodnans skin score, EUSTAR SSc activity score, Medsger SSc severity score), and a physiotherapist blinded to intervention [validated measurements (dFTP-delta finger to palm, inter-incisor/inter-lip distance, grip strength using Baseline dynamometer); assessments (HAMIS)], patients filled out patient reported outcomes/questionnaires (CHFS, MHISS, HAQ, SHAQ, SF-36) and provided blood for routine laboratory analysis and biobanking. Normality of data was tested, inter-group analysis was performed with 2-way ANOVA, and intra-group analysis by Metanicotine Friedmanns test with Dunns post hoc test. Results: 25 SSc patients (22 female/3 male, 14 limited cutaneous (lc)SSc/11 diffuse cutaneous (dc)SSc, median of age 54.0 and disease duration 7.0 years, mRSS 12) were recruited into the intervention group (IG) and 29 patients into the control group (CG) (25 female/4 male, HDAC6 16 lcSSc/13 dcSSc, median of age 49.0 and disease duration 5.0 years, mRSS 11). Compared to observed statistically significant deterioration in CG over the period of m0-m6, we found statistically significant improvement in dFTP, grip strength, HAMIS, inter-incisor and inter-lip distance. Only numerical improvement in IG compared to numerical deterioration in CG, which have not reached statistical significance, were observed in patient reported outcomes (CHFS, MHISS, HAQ, SHAQ, SF-36). Conclusions: Physiotherapy program from our study led to a significant improvement in monitored parameters, which was clinically meaningful in a substantial proportion of patients, and prevented the natural course of progressive deterioration of function of hands/mouth (observed in the control group). P.271 Significance of Combined ANTI-CCP Antibodies and Rheumatoid Factor in a New Zealand Cohort of Patients with Systemic Sclerosis K. Solanki 1,2, S. Kamalaksha2, D.H.N White 1,2 1 Waikato Clinical School, University of Auckland, Hamilton, NEW ZEALAND, 2 Waikato DHB Hospital, Hamilton, NEW ZEALAND Introduction: Musculoskeletal manifestations are common in Systemic Sclerosis (SSc) which.
