DUs were assessed at each visit starting with the screening visit. Only DUs from the proximal interphalangeal joint (PIP) distally (both on the dorsal and volar surface of the hand, including the digital tip) were recorded. The location of each DU was noted. At each subsequent visit the location of each new DU was noted. DUs that occurred and healed between visits and were reported by patients were not recorded as new DUs. The evaluation was performed by an experienced physician or a trained rater with expertise in the assessment of DUs in systemic sclerosis (SSc). For a given patient, DUs were assessed by the same rater at each visit, whenever possible. Any DU that developed over a previously healed ulcer was recorded as a new DU. Incidence rate is adjusted for 16 weeks of observation, hence is calculated as the number of new DUs/total number of observation days.

Full analysis set

DUs were assessed at each visit starting with the screening visit. Only DUs from the proximal interphalangeal joint (PIP) distally (both on the dorsal and volar surface of the hand, including the digital tip) were recorded. The location of each DU was noted. At each subsequent visit the location of each new DU was noted. DUs that occurred and healed between visits and were reported by patients were not recorded as new DUs. The evaluation was performed by an experienced physician or a trained rater with expertise in the assessment of DUs in systemic sclerosis (SSc). For a given patient, DUs were assessed by the same rater at each visit, whenever possible. Any DU that developed over a previously healed ulcer was recorded as a new DU. Numbers of patients with no new DU at Week 16 are imputed using the last observation carried forward method.

Modified intent-to-treat set. Eleven patients were excluded from the modified intent-treat set due to protocol violations.

DU complications were defined as any one of the following, resulting from DU worsening: critical ischemic crisis necessitating hospitalization; gangrene, (auto)amputation; failure of conservative management; surgical and chemical sympathectomy, vascular reconstructions, or any unplanned surgery in the management of hand SSc manifestations; use of parenteral prostanoids; use of endothelin-receptor antagonists; class II, III, or IV narcotics or a > 50% increase in the existing dose compared with baseline; initiation of systemic antibiotics for the treatment of infection attributed to DUs.

Modified intent-to-treat set. Eleven patients were excluded from the modified intent-treat set due to protocol violations.

HAQ-DI assesses functional ability regarding fine movements of the upper extremities, locomotor activities in the lower extremities, and movements of the upper and lower limbs. Responses were extracted from the Scleroderma Health Assessment Questionnaire covering 8 domains of functional disability (dressing and grooming, arising, eating, walking, hygiene, reach, grip, and other daily activities). A mean score ranging from 0-3 was calculated for each domain, and a composite score by dividing the summed domain scores by the number of domains. The composite score was interpreted as 0 (no impairment in function) to 3 (maximal impairment of function). Hand functionality was assessed using a composite of 4 domains (dressing and grooming, grip, hygiene, and eating).

Modified intention-to-treat set. Eleven patients were excluded from the modified intent-treat set due to protocol violations.

HAQ-DI assesses functional ability regarding fine movements of the upper extremities, locomotor activities in the lower extremities, and movements of the upper and lower limbs. Responses were extracted from the Scleroderma Health Assessment Questionnaire covering 8 domains of functional disability (dressing and grooming, arising, eating, walking, hygiene, reach, grip, and other daily activities). A mean score ranging from 0-3 was calculated for each domain, and a composite score by dividing the summed domain scores by the number of domains. The composite score was interpreted as 0 (no impairment in function) to 3 (maximal impairment of function).

Modified intention-to-treat set. Eleven patients were excluded from the modified intent-treat set due to protocol violations.

Patients were asked to answer 24 questions on the use of the hand(s) affected by DUs over the past 7 days on a 6-point scale from 0 (yes without difficulty) to 5 (impossible). The HDISS-DU score is the arithmetic mean of the valid non-missing items. The scores are interpreted as 1 (better ability in completing activities) to 6 (worst ability in completing activities)

Modified intention-to-treat set. Eleven patients were excluded from the modified intent-treat set due to protocol violations.