Quality Of Life In Systemic Sclerosis Research Articles

The effects of upper and lower limb exercise on the microvascular reactivity in limited cutaneous systemic sclerosis patients

BackgroundAerobic exercise in general and high-intensity interval training (HIIT) specifically is known to improve vascular function in a range of clinical conditions. HIIT in particular has demonstrated improvements in clinical outcomes, in conditions that have a strong macroangiopathic component. Nevertheless, the effect of HIIT on microcirculation in systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients is yet to be investigated. Therefore, the purpose of the study was to compare the effects of two HIIT protocols (cycle and arm cranking) on the microcirculation of the digital area in SSc patients.MethodsThirty-four limited cutaneous SSc patients (65.3 ± 11.6 years old) were randomly allocated in three groups (cycling, arm cranking and control group). The exercise groups underwent a 12- week exercise program twice per week. All patients performed the baseline and post-exercise intervention measurements where physical fitness, functional ability, transcutaneous oxygen tension (ΔTcpO2), body composition and quality of life were assessed. Endothelial-dependent as well as -independent vasodilation were assessed in the middle and index fingers using LDF and incremental doses of acetylcholine (ACh) and sodium nitroprusside (SNP). Cutaneous flux data were expressed as cutaneous vascular conductance (CVC).ResultsPeak oxygen uptake increased in both exercise groups (p < 0.01, d = 1.36). ΔTcpO2 demonstrated an increase in the arm-cranking group only, with a large effect, but not found statistically significant,(p = 0.59, d = 0.93). Endothelial-dependent vasodilation improvement was greater in the arm-cranking (p < 0.05, d = 1.07) in comparison to other groups. Both exercise groups improved life satisfaction (p < 0.001) as well as reduced discomfort and pain due to Raynaud’s phenomenon (p < 0.05). Arm cranking seems to be the preferred mode of exercise for study participants as compared to cycling (p < 0.05). No changes were observed in the body composition or the functional ability in both exercise groups.ConclusionsOur results suggest that arm cranking has the potential to improve the microvascular endothelial function in SSc patients. Also notably, our recommended training dose (e.g., a 12-week HIIT program, twice per week), appeared to be sufficient and tolerable for this population. Future research should focus on exploring the feasibility of a combined exercise such as aerobic and resistance training by assessing individual’s experience and the quality of life in SSc patients.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov (NCT number): NCT03058887, February 23, 2017.

Common measure of quality of life for people with systemic sclerosis across seven European countries: a cross-sectional study.

ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to adapt the Systemic Sclerosis Quality of Life Questionnaire (SScQoL) into six European cultures and validate it as a common measure of quality of life in systemic sclerosis (SSc).MethodsThis was a seven-country (Germany, France, Italy, Poland, Spain, Sweden and UK) cross-sectional study. A forward–backward translation process was used to adapt the English SScQoL into target languages. SScQoL was completed by patients with SSc, then data were validated against the Rasch model. To correct local response dependency, items were grouped into the following subscales: function, emotion, sleep, social and pain and reanalysed for fit to the model, unidimensionality and cross-cultural equivalence.ResultsThe adaptation of the SScQoL was seamless in all countries except Germany. Cross-cultural validation included 1080 patients with a mean age 58.0 years (SD 13.9) and 87% were women. Local dependency was evident in individual country data. Grouping items into testlets corrected the local dependency in most country specific data. Fit to the model, reliability and unidimensionality was achieved in six-country data after cross-cultural adjustment for Italy in the social subscale. The SScQoL was then calibrated into an interval level scale.ConclusionThe individual SScQoL items have translated well into five languages and overall, the scale maintained its construct validity, working well as a five-subscale questionnaire. Measures of quality of life in SSc can be directly compared across five countries (France, Poland Spain, Sweden and UK). Data from Italy are also comparable with the other five countries although require an adjustment.

Quality of life in systemic sclerosis: Psychometric properties of the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule II

To determine the validity of the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule II (WHODAS II) in systemic sclerosis (SSc). Patients enrolled in the Canadian Scleroderma Research Group registry participated in a standardized evaluation and completed the WHODAS II. Criterion validity was assessed by comparing the WHODAS II with the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form 36 (SF-36), construct validity was assessed by examining how it relates to common measures of outcome in SSc, and discriminative validity was assessed by examining how it distinguishes patients with more severe disease from those with less severe disease. A total of 402 patients with SSc were included (mean +/- SD age 55 +/- 13 years, 87% women, mean +/- SD disease duration 11 +/- 9 years). The mean +/- SD WHODAS II score was 24.6 +/- 17.4, and the greatest impairments were in life activities and mobility. There were moderate to good correlations between the WHODAS II and the SF-36 Physical Component Summary score (r = -0.44), the SF-36 Mental Component Summary score (r = -0.41), and measures of function (r = 0.54), depression (r = 0.44), pain (r = 0.40), and fatigue (r = -0.49, P < 0.0001 for all). The WHODAS II was able to consistently distinguish patients with milder disease from those with more severe disease. The WHODAS II had good psychometric properties in patients with SSc and should be considered a valid measure of health-related quality of life in SSc.