Association of physical fitness components and health-related quality of life in women with systemic lupus erythematosus with mild disease activity.

Blanca Gavilán-Carrera,Raquel Rios-Fernández,Jaqueline Garcia Da Silva,Alberto Soriano-Maldonado,Manuel Delgado-Fernández,Pablo Morillas-De-Laguno,José A Vargas-Hitos,José M Sabio,Domenico Paolo Emanuele Margiotta

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0212436

Abstract

ObjectivesTo study the association of different components of physical fitness [flexibility, muscle strength and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF)] and a clustered fitness score with health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in women with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and to analyze whether participants with high fitness level have better HRQoL.MethodsThis cross-sectional study included 70 women with SLE (aged 42.5; SD 13.9 years). The back-scratch test assessed flexibility, the 30-sec chair stand and handgrip strength tests assessed muscle strength, and the 6-min walk test (n = 49) assessed CRF. HRQoL was assessed through the 36-item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36).ResultsFlexibility was positively associated with the physical function dimension and the physical component summary (PCS) (rpartial between 0.26 and 0.31; p<0.05), and negatively related with social functioning dimension (rpartial = -0.26; p<0.05). Muscle strength was positively associated with the physical function, physical role, bodily pain dimensions and the PCS (rpartial between 0.27 and 0.49; all p<0.05). CRF was positively associated with the physical function and bodily pain dimensions, and PCS (rpartial between 0.39 and 0.65; all p<0.05). The clustered fitness score was associated with the physical function (B = 17.16) and bodily pain (B = 14.35) dimensions, and the PCS (B = 6.02), all p<0.005. Patients with high fitness level had greater scores in the physical function, physical role, and bodily pain dimensions and the PCS, all p≤0.05.ConclusionsOur study suggests that muscle strength and CRF are positively associated with HRQoL, while flexibility showed contradictory results. These findings highlight the importance of maintaining adequate fitness levels in women with SLE.

Highlights

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease that may involve any organ or system and produce a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations [1]
Our study suggests that muscle strength and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) are positively associated with health-related qualityof-life (HRQoL), while flexibility showed contradictory results
These findings highlight the importance of maintaining adequate fitness levels in women with SLE

Summary

Introduction

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease that may involve any organ or system and produce a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations [1]. The goals of SLE therapy are reducing disease activity, preventing organ damage and improving health-related qualityof-life (HRQoL) [2]. The spectrum of treatment options and the general knowledge of SLE have improved in recent decades (i.e. leading to similar survivals rates than the general population) HRQoL continues to be compromised in this population [3]. The determinants of HRQoL in SLE are complex but may include factors related to disease and treatment, health care provision [1], or psychological variables [9]. In addition to medical therapy, non-pharmacological therapies, such as exercise, seems to be an efficient and safe alternative to improve physical fitness [10], symptomatology and HRQoL of patients with SLE [11,12]. The optimal exercise intervention for SLE is still unclear [12]

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