AB1287-HPR INVESTIGATION OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN GRIP ENDURANCE, DISABILITY OF UPPER EXTREMITY AND QUALITY OF LIFE IN PATIENTS WITH RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

Abstract

Background:Upper extremity functions affect the quality of life at different levels in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In the current literature; it has been shown that grip endurance is associated with upper limb functions (1). However, there is no study investigating the relationship between grip endurance and quality of life in patients with RA.Objectives:To investigate relationship between grip endurance, disability of upper extremity and quality of life in patients with RA.Methods:In our cross sectional study, 23 RA patients [Mean age; 52.7±12.6, BMI;26.9±5.7 kg/m2, Women;20(87.0%)] who were classified according to the ACR 2010 criteria. Demographics and clinical characteristics of patients were recorded (Table 1). Das28 for disease activity score, Static and dynamic grip endurance measurements using Hand Dynamometer (Lafayette Proffessional Hand Dynamometer, USA) for grip endurance, Disability of Arm, Shoulder and Hand Survey (DASH) for disabilities and symptoms of upper extremity and Short Form-36 Health Survey for quality of life were performed. Spearman’s Rank Correlation Coefficient was used for data analysis.Table 1.Demografic and Clinical Characteristics of PatientsVariables (n=23)Median(IQR 25/75)Age (year)56(41/62)BMI (kg/m2)27,5(21.4/32.0)Disease Duration(year)8(5/15)Morning Stiffness (VAS/mm)38(23/48)Perceived Disability of Hand (VAS,mm)47(25/67)Clinician Disability of Hand (VAS,mm)30(20/39)Number Of Tender Hand Joint2(0/6)Number Of Swollen Hand Joint0(0/1)CRP(mg l)3,3(1.8/7.1)ESR(nm/h)13(6/21)n(%)Morning Stiffness Duratton0-15 minutes8 (34.8)15-30 minutes5 (21.7)30-60 minutes3 (13.0)Longer than 1 hours7 (30.4)Das28Remission11(47.8)Low Activity2(8.7)Moderate Activity7(30.4)High Activity3(13.0)Data is presented median (interquantile range) or percentile (%).Results:Grip endurance was negatively correlated with DASH and positively correlated with many different quality of life parameters, especially physical function, on both the dominant and non-dominant sides (p <0.05). DASH was correlated negatively with SF-36 physical function, rol limitataion due to physical health, pain subparameters and positively correlated with Das28 score (p<0.05).Conclusion:In our study, it was concluded that grip endurance was related to upper extremity functions and quality of life in patients with RA. This result shows that; assessment of grip endurance can be a guide for clinicians who have designed an upper limb rehabilitation program for patients with RA.