Turkish PASTUL questionnaire for measuring upper‑limb skin thickness in systemic sclerosis
Cultural Adaptation, Validity, and Reliability of the Turkish Version of the Patient Assessment of Skin Thickness in the Upper Limb - PASTUL Questionnaire
This project will test a Turkish version of the PASTUL questionnaire to see if people with systemic sclerosis can use it to measure their upper‑limb skin thickness.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Enrollment | 50 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Hacettepe University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Çankaya, Ankara) |
| Trial ID | NCT07182968 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
Researchers will translate and culturally adapt the PASTUL questionnaire into Turkish using forward–backward translation and pilot feedback. They will enroll adults with scleroderma at Hacettepe University and have participants complete the Turkish PASTUL. The team will examine reliability (internal consistency and test–retest) and validity, including correlation with clinician-measured modified Rodnan Skin Score when available. The aim is to confirm the questionnaire's clarity, reliability, and suitability for routine use in the Turkish patient population.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adults aged 18 or older with a diagnosis of scleroderma who are willing and able to complete questionnaires are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: Patients with advanced organ failure, major cognitive or neurological impairment, active malignancy, or those unwilling/unable to complete questionnaires are unlikely to benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, Turkish patients could use a simple self-report tool to monitor skin thickness, supporting remote follow-up and earlier recognition of changes.
How similar studies have performed: The original PASTUL has been validated and shown to correlate with the modified Rodnan Skin Score, but this Turkish cultural adaptation has not previously been validated.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Individuals diagnosed with scleroderma, * Individuals aged 18 years and older Exclusion Criteria: * Advanced heart/lung/liver/kidney disease, neurological disease, and malignancies * Individuals who are unwilling to participate
Where this trial is running
Çankaya, Ankara
- Hacettepe University — Çankaya, Ankara, Turkey (Türkiye) (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Orkun Tüfekçi, PT, PhD(c)
- Email: orkuntf@gmail.com
- Phone: 5319502648
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.