Exercise as a multi-modal disease-modifying medicine in systemic sclerosis: An introduction by The Global Fellowship on Rehabilitation and Exercise in Systemic Sclerosis (G-FoRSS)

EULAR recommendations for the non-pharmacological management of systemic lupus erythematosus and systemic sclerosis

OBJECTIVE

To develop evidence-based recommendations for the non-pharmacological management of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and systemic sclerosis (SSc).

METHODS

A task force comprising 7 rheumatologists, 15 other healthcare professionals and 3 patients was established. Following a systematic literature review performed to inform the recommendations, statements were formulated, discussed during online meetings and graded based on risk of bias assessment, level of evidence (LoE) and strength of recommendation (SoR; scale A-D, A comprising consistent LoE 1 studies, D comprising LoE 4 or inconsistent studies), following the European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology standard operating procedure. Level of agreement (LoA; scale 0-10, 0 denoting complete disagreement, 10 denoting complete agreement) was determined for each statement through online voting.

RESULTS

Four overarching principles and 12 recommendations were developed. These concerned common and disease-specific aspects of non-pharmacological management. SoR ranged from A to D. The mean LoA with the overarching principles and recommendations ranged from 8.4 to 9.7. Briefly, non-pharmacological management of SLE and SSc should be tailored, person-centred and participatory. It is not intended to preclude but rather complement pharmacotherapy. Patients should be offered education and support for physical exercise, smoking cessation and avoidance of cold exposure. Photoprotection and psychosocial interventions are important for SLE patients, while mouth and hand exercises are important in SSc.

CONCLUSIONS

The recommendations will guide healthcare professionals and patients towards a holistic and personalised management of SLE and SSc. Research and educational agendas were developed to address needs towards a higher evidence level, enhancement of clinician-patient communication and improved outcomes.

Anti-inflammatory Therapy for Sarcoidosis

Over 50% of patients with sarcoidosis will require anti-inflammatory therapy at some point in their disease course. Indications for therapy are to improve health-related quality of life, prevent or arrest organ dysfunction (or organ failure) or avoid death. Recently published treatment guidelines recommended a stepwise approach to therapy however there are some patients for whom up front combination or more intense therapy maybe reasonable. The last decade has seen an explosion of studies and trials evaluating novel therapeutic agents and treatment strategies. Currently available anti-inflammatory therapies and several novel therapies are discussed here.

The effect of a self-management program on the quality of life of patients with scleroderma

BACKGROUND

Scleroderma is a rare disease with complex disorders. It affects the quality of life with severe impacts on the skin and extensive complications in the internal organs, and does not have a definitive treatment. This study aimed to investigate the effect of a self-management program on the quality of life of patients with scleroderma.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This was a clinical trial in which 54 patients with scleroderma were randomly divided into two groups of 27 each (experimental and control groups). The data were collected using the Systemic Sclerosis Questionnaire. A self-management program was sent to the experimental group via a mobile phone application (WhatsApp) every day for three months. Statistical analysis was performed in Statistical Package for the Social Sciences V21.

RESULTS

The Wilcoxon signed-rank test showed that the average overall quality of life score of the experimental group showed a significant increase after the implementation of the program (P value: 0.00). The average overall quality of life score of the control group also significantly declined after the intervention (P value: 0.00). The Mann-Whitney U test revealed that there was no significant difference in the overall quality of life score of the two groups before the intervention (P value: 0.31); however, after the implementation of the self-management program, a significant difference was observed between the two groups (P value: 0.00).

CONCLUSION

According to the results, the self-management program can help improve the quality of life of patients with scleroderma.

Improving Cognitive Function with Nutritional Supplements in Aging: A Comprehensive Narrative Review of Clinical Studies Investigating the Effects of Vitamins, Minerals, Antioxidants, and Other Dietary Supplements

Cognitive impairment and dementia are burgeoning public health concerns, especially given the increasing longevity of the global population. These conditions not only affect the quality of life of individuals and their families, but also pose significant economic burdens on healthcare systems. In this context, our comprehensive narrative review critically examines the role of nutritional supplements in mitigating cognitive decline. Amidst growing interest in non-pharmacological interventions for cognitive enhancement, this review delves into the efficacy of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and other dietary supplements. Through a systematic evaluation of randomized controlled trials, observational studies, and meta-analysis, this review focuses on outcomes such as memory enhancement, attention improvement, executive function support, and neuroprotection. The findings suggest a complex interplay between nutritional supplementation and cognitive health, with some supplements showing promising results and others displaying limited or context-dependent effectiveness. The review highlights the importance of dosage, bioavailability, and individual differences in response to supplementation. Additionally, it addresses safety concerns and potential interactions with conventional treatments. By providing a clear overview of current scientific knowledge, this review aims to guide healthcare professionals and researchers in making informed decisions about the use of nutritional supplements for cognitive health.

Sarcoidosis and frailty: recognizing factors that foster holistic resilience

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Sarcoidosis is a multiorgan system disease exerting significant impact on biophysical, social, psychological and emotional well-being. Mortality and disability correlate to accessible, timely, expert care for sarcoidosis and its related complications. Across health conditions, positive healthcare interactions and interventions can rehabilitate unfavourable factors tied to concepts of 'frailty'. Here, we set out to introduce concepts related to frailty and their impact in the context of sarcoidosis.

RECENT FINDINGS

Studies examining frailty across other multiorgan and single organ-based diseases that mirror organ involvement in sarcoidosis demonstrate findings that bear relevance in sarcoidosis. Namely, factors predisposing a person to frailty are a multifactorial phenomenon which are also reflected in the lived experience of sarcoidosis; and that early diagnosis, intervention and prevention may alter a course towards more favourable health outcomes.

SUMMARY

Factors predisposing to frailty in other health conditions may also signal a risk in sarcoidosis. In turn, proactive health preservation - regardless of age - may lead to improved biopsychosocial reserve and health-related quality of life. Fortifying holistic resilience in sarcoidosis is anticipated to reduce risk of the occurrence and prolongation of health-related complications, and facilitate swifter recovery from biophysical complications as well as from psychosocial and emotional stressors.

Consensus-based recommendations on communication and education regarding primary care physical therapy for patients with systemic sclerosis

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to develop recommendations for communication and postgraduate education regarding primary care physical therapy for systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients.

METHODS

A virtual Nominal Group Technique was used with tasks forces for communication (n = 18) and education (n = 21). Both included rheumatologists, physical therapists (PTs) in primary, secondary or tertiary care, rheumatology nurses, advanced nurse practictioners and patient representatives. Three online meetings were organised for each task force to discuss (1) current bottlenecks; (2) potential solutions; and (3) the resulting draft recommendations. After the final adjustments, participants rated their level of agreement with each recommendation on a scale from 0 (not at all agree) to 100 (totally agree), using an online questionnaire.

RESULTS

19 and 34 recommendations were formulated for communication and education, respectively. For communication the main recommendations concerned the provision of an overview of primary care physical therapists with expertise in rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases to patients and rheumatologists, the inclusion of the indication by the rheumatologist in the referral to the physical therapist and low-threshold communication with the rheumatologist in case of questions or concerns of the physical therapist. For postgraduate education three types of "on demand" educational offerings were recommended with varying levels of content and duration, to match the competencies and preferences of individual primary care physical therapists.

CONCLUSION

Using a systematic qualitative approach, two multi-stakeholder task forces developed practical recommendations for primary care physical therapists' communication with hospital-based care providers and postgraduate education regarding the treatment of SSc patients.

Expanding the Treatment Team

The optimal systemic sclerosis (SSc) care plan includes an occupational therapist and physical therapist as well as wound care experts and a registered dietitian if indicated. Screening instruments for functional and work disability, hand and mouth limitations, malnutrition, and dietary intake can identify the need for ancillary support services. Telemedicine can assist in developing effective ancillary treatment plans. Reimbursement for services may limit access for patients with SSc to expand their care team but a focus on prevention rather than management of damage is recognized as an important unmet need in SSc. In this review, the role of a comprehensive care team for SSc is discussed.

Right Ventricular Morphology and Function after Exercise Training in People with Systemic Sclerosis: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study

BACKGROUND

Vascular dysfunction and its concomitant multi-organ involvement, including cardiac involvement, affects prognosis in systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients. Regular exercise has demonstrated to be able to improve vascular function in SSc. However, the effects of an exercise program on the heart and specifically in right ventricular (RV) morphology and function in SSc have yet to be explored. The study aimed to examine whether a 3-month combined exercise program can affect RV morphology and function in SSc patients.

METHODS

Twenty-eight SSc patients were randomly allocated to either the exercise training (ET) or the control (CON) group. Baseline and follow-up assessments consisted of a cardiopulmonary exercise test along with both a conventional and a two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (2DSTE) focused on RV morphology and function. Following the baseline assessments, Group ET participated in a supervised combined exercise program for 12 weeks, while group CON received their usual care.

RESULTS

The ET group demonstrated increases in peak oxygen consumption by 25.1% (p < 0.001), global RV free wall longitudinal systolic strain by 6.69% (p < 0.03), RV free wall longitudinal systolic strain of the basal segment by 13.5% (p < 0.001), and global RV four-chamber longitudinal systolic strain by 6.76% (p < 0.03) following the exercise program. No differences were observed in group CON.

CONCLUSIONS

Combined exercise improved cardiorespiratory efficiency and indices of RV systolic function, as assessed by the 2DSTE, in SSc patients.

Sarcoidosis: Updates on therapeutic drug trials and novel treatment approaches

Sarcoidosis is a systemic granulomatous inflammatory disease of unknown etiology. It affects the lungs in over 90% of patients yet extra-pulmonary and multi-organ involvement is common. Spontaneous remission of disease occurs commonly, nonetheless, over 50% of patients will require treatment and up to 30% of patients will develop a chronic progressive non-remitting disease with marked pulmonary fibrosis leading to significant morbidity and death. Guidelines outlining an immunosuppressive treatment approach to sarcoidosis were recently published, however, the strength of evidence behind many of the guideline recommended drugs is weak. None of the drugs currently used for the treatment of sarcoidosis have been rigorously studied and prescription of these drugs is often based on off-label” indications informed by experience with other diseases. Indeed, only two medications [prednisone and repository corticotropin (RCI) injection] currently used in the treatment of sarcoidosis are approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration. This situation results in significant reimbursement challenges especially for the more advanced (and often more effective) drugs that are favored for severe and refractory forms of disease causing an over-reliance on corticosteroids known to be associated with significant dose and duration dependent toxicities. This past decade has seen a renewed interest in developing new drugs and exploring novel therapeutic pathways for the treatment of sarcoidosis. Several of these trials are active randomized controlled trials (RCTs) designed to recruit relatively large numbers of patients with a goal to determine the safety, efficacy, and tolerability of these new molecules and therapeutic approaches. While it is an exciting time, it is also necessary to exercise caution. Resources including research dollars and most importantly, patient populations available for trials are limited and thus necessitate that several of the challenges facing drug trials and drug development in sarcoidosis are addressed. This will ensure that currently available resources are judiciously utilized. Our paper reviews the ongoing and anticipated drug trials in sarcoidosis and addresses the challenges facing these and future trials. We also review several recently completed trials and draw lessons that should be applied in future.

Guidelines of the Polish Respiratory Society on the Diagnosis and Treatment of Progressive Fibrosing Interstitial Lung Diseases Other than Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis

The recommendations were developed as answers to previously formulated questions concerning everyday diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. They were developed based on a review of the current literature using the GRADE methodology. The experts suggest that PF-ILD be diagnosed based on a combination of different criteria, such as the aggravation of symptoms, progression of radiological lesions, and worsening of lung function test parameters. The experts recommend a precise diagnosis of an underlying disease, with serological testing for an autoimmune disease always being included. The final diagnosis should be worked out by a multidisciplinary team (MDT). Patients with an interstitial lung disease other than IPF who do not meet the criteria for the progressive fibrosis phenotype should be monitored for progression, and those with systemic autoimmune diseases should be regularly monitored for signs of interstitial lung disease. In managing patients with interstitial lung disease associated with autoimmune diseases, an opinion of an MDT should be considered. Nintedanib rather than pirfenidon should be introduced in the event of the ineffectiveness of the therapy recommended for the treatment of the underlying disease, but in some instances, it is possible to start antifibrotic treatment without earlier immunomodulatory therapy. It is also admissible to use immunomodulatory and antifibrotic drugs simultaneously. No recommendations were made for or against termination of anti-fibrotic therapy in the case of noted progression during treatment of a PF-ILD other than IPF. The experts recommend that the same principles of non-pharmacological and palliative treatment and eligibility for lung transplantation should be applied to patients with an interstitial lung disease other than IPF with progressive fibrosis as in patients with IPF.

Home-based rehabilitation improves functional capacity and quality of life in women with systemic sclerosis: A preliminary study

BACKGROUND

Recent initiatives, such as earlier diagnosis and treatment, have enhanced the survival of patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). Despite these initiatives, there is extreme variability in rehabilitation strategies for these patients. In 2006, the Glittre-ADL test (TGlittre) was developed to evaluate functional capacity using multiple tasks similar to the activities of daily living (ADLs).

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the impact of therapist-oriented home rehabilitation (TOHR) on functional capacity using TGlittre and to examine the effects of TOHR on physical function, hand function, and quality of life (QoL) among women with SSc.

METHODS

This quasi-experimental and longitudinal study included 12 women with SSc who underwent TOHR 3 times per week for 12 weeks. Before and after TOHR, functional capacity was assessed using TGlittre, physical function was examined by the Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index (HAQ-DI), hand function was evaluated using the Cochin Hand Functional Scale (CHFS) and handgrip strength (HGS), and QoL was evaluated using the Short Form-36 Health Survey Questionnaire (SF-36).

RESULTS

When comparing the pre- and post-TOHR values of TGlittre, a significant reduction was found in total time (p= 0.002) and manual time (p= 0.010). There was a nonsignificant decrease in HAQ-DI scores between pre- and post-TOHR (p= 0.07). Regarding hand function, there was a significant reduction in the CHFS between pre- and post-TOHR (p= 0.036), although no significant difference was observed in HGS between pre- and post-TOHR (p= 0.08). Regarding QoL, there was an increase in all SF-36 categories, although physical function was the only category that was significantly increased (p= 0.008).

CONCLUSION

After TOHR, patients with SSc are able to more quickly perform TGlittre tasks when considering both total and manual times. TOHR also positively affects manual skills and QoL.

The Preventive Role of Physical Activity in Systemic Sclerosis: A Cross-Sectional Study on the Correlation with Clinical Parameters and Disease Progression

Although exercise is associated with improved health in many medical conditions, little is known about the possible influences of physical activity (PA) habits pre- and post- a diagnosis of systemic sclerosis (SSc) on disease activity and progression. This cross-sectional study assessed, for the first time, self-reported pre- and post-diagnostic PA levels with the aim to verify if changes in these levels were correlated with demographic/anthropometric data (e.g., weight, height, gender, age, BMI), disease duration, diagnostic/clinical parameters (e.g., skin involvement, pulmonary hemodynamic/echocardiographic data, disease activity) related to disease activity and progression, and quality of life in a population-based sample of patients with SSc. Adult participants (n = 34, age 56.6 ± 13.3 years) with SSc (limited cutaneous SSc, lcSSc, n = 20; diffuse cutaneous SSc, dcSSc, n = 9; sine scleroderma SSc, n = 5) were enrolled at the Division of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology of the Humanitas Research Hospital. All medical data were recorded during periodic clinical visits by a rheumatologist. Moreover, all subjects included in this study completed extensive questionnaires to evaluate their health-related quality of life (HRQOL), and others related to health-related physical activity performed before (PRE) and after (POST) the diagnosis of disease. The linear regression analysis has shown that either a high Sport_index or Leisure_index in the PRE-diagnostic period was correlated with lower disease duration in dcSSc patients. Physical load during sport activity and leisure time accounted for ~61.1% and ~52.6% of the individual variation in disease duration, respectively. In lcSSc patients, a high PRE value related to physical load during sporting activities was correlated with a low pulmonary artery systolic pressure (sPAP) and the POST value of the Work_index was positively correlated with the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), and negatively with creatine kinase levels (CK). Interestingly, the univariate analysis showed that Work_index accounts for ~29.4% of the variance in LVEF. Our analysis clearly reinforces the concept that high levels of physical load may play a role in primary prevention-delaying the onset of the disease in those subjects with a family history of SSc-as well as in secondary prevention, improving SSc management through a positive impact on different clinical parameters of the disease. However, it remains a priority to identify a customized physical load in order to minimize the possible negative effects of PA.

Ageing with Interstitial lung disease: preserving health and well being

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Ageing, the accrual of molecular and cellular damage over a lifetime confers progressive physiologic dysfunction of bodily systems, leaving the body in a heightened state of vulnerability to biophysical and psychosocial stressors. The inflection point is frailty which easily leads to disability and death. Interstitial lung disease (ILD) creates biophysical and psychosocial stresses difficult for even optimally fit patients to cope with. With evolving ILD treatment pathways, people with ILD are living longer.

RECENT FINDINGS

ILD and ageing are bi-directionally influential: ILD, its treatments, complications, and collateral systemic extra-pulmonary damage (hypoxic and oxidative stress) wear on the ageing person and ageing impacts a person's tolerance of ILD. ILD extent may proportionally accelerate age-related vulnerabilities. ILD related to inflammatory systemic diseases, e.g. connective tissue diseases or sarcoidosis, exert an even more complex biophysical impact on the body.

SUMMARY

The present review stresses goals of preventing frailty in ILD and preserving general health and well being of people living with ILD of any age, from time of diagnosis and as they age. The development of a prediction score is proposed to classify those at risk of frailty and guide interventions that preserve successful ageing for all levels of ILD severity.

VIDEO ABSTRACT

http://links.lww.com/COPM/A32.

Can home rehabilitation impact impulse oscillometry and lung ultrasound findings in patients with scleroderma-associated interstitial lung disease? A pilot study

Objective

Exercise has been demonstrated to be beneficial for improving physical capacity and quality of life in people with scleroderma, although knowledge of its impact on the respiratory system is limited. This study evaluated the impact of therapist-oriented home rehabilitation (TOHR) on impulse oscillometry (IOS) and lung ultrasound (LUS) findings in patients with scleroderma-associated interstitial lung disease (ILD).

Results

Twelve women with scleroderma underwent spirometry, IOS, and LUS before and after performing TOHR. Regarding spirometry, a normal pattern and restrictive damage were observed in five (41.7%) and seven (58.3%) participants pre-TOHR and post-TOHR, respectively. For IOS, an abnormal result was detected in nine (75%) pre-TOHR participants and six (50%) post-TOHR participants. Heterogeneity of resistance between 4–20 Hz (R4-R20) > 20% of the predicted value was observed in eight (66.7%) pre-TOHR participants and three (25%) post-TOHR participants (P = 0.031). An abnormal LUS result was observed in nine (75%) participants both pre-TOHR and post-TOHR. The main change observed was B-lines > 2, which was noted in nine (75%) participants both pre-TOHR and post-TOHR. Our findings suggest that TOHR for women with scleroderma-associated ILD improves the resistance and reactance measured by IOS, including small airway disease.

Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT05041868 Registered on: 13th September 2021.

Challenges in physiotherapy of managing respiratory diseases in elderly population

INTRODUCTION

Lung function is a convincing prognosticator of longevity. With advancing age, there are many irreversible functional and anatomic changes in the body, making elderly susceptible to disease processes. As people age, the respiratory system experiences a number of anatomical, physiological, and immunological changes, predisposing risk of many chronic lung diseases (CLDs). Respiratory tract infections, TB, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and interstitial pulmonary disease are examples of common respiratory diseases (CRDs). The risk factors are mainly smoking, exposure to air pollution both indoors and outdoors, allergies, occupational exposure, poor diet, obesity, inactivity. Between 25 and 80 years the lung function and aerobic capacity each decline by ∼40% limiting physical function and promoting multimorbidity. In elderly, skeletal muscle dysfunction causes age-related multifactorial health disorders such sarcopenia and frailty, a recognised symptom of chronic respiratory disease.

METHODS

This perspective article highlights the importance of pulmonary physiotherapy in elderly with chronic lung disease and other chronic respiratory disorders. Common symptoms frequently experienced are dyspnoea, fatigue, decreased exercise tolerance, peripheral muscle dysfunction, and mental disturbances. An individual's symptoms, physical functioning, quality of life (QoL), hospitalisation, and morbidity goals are all addressed by a pulmonary rehabilitation programme (PRP). Pulmonary physiotherapy, an extensive patient-tailored intervention as exercise training, education, and life style modification is prescribed on the basis of a thorough personalised assessment.

RESULT

Through pulmonary physiotherapy, the goal is to restore the quality of life of elderly with chronic respiratory diseases and to encourage their long-term adherence to health-improving behaviour. The older patients learn to accept and overcome the reality of their illness rather than sticking to its limits.

CONCLUSION

Multidisciplinary approach with a customized and comprehensive program makes the difference between living a fulfilling life and living a life with pulmonary disabilities.

A comprehensive framework for navigating patient care in systemic sclerosis: A global response to the need for improving the practice of diagnostic and preventive strategies in SSc

Systemic sclerosis (SSc), the most lethal of rheumatologic conditions, is the cause of death in >50% of SSc cases, led by pulmonary fibrosis followed by pulmonary hypertension and then scleroderma renal crisis (SRC). Multiple other preventable and treatable SSc-related vascular, cardiac, gastrointestinal, nutritional and musculoskeletal complications can lead to disability and death. Vascular injury with subsequent inflammation transforming to irreversible fibrosis and permanent damage characterizes SSc. Organ involvement is often present early in the disease course of SSc, but requires careful history-taking and vigilance in screening to detect. Inflammation is potentially reversible provided that treatment intensity quells inflammation and other immune mechanisms. In any SSc phenotype, opportunities for early treatment are prone to be under-utilized, especially in slowly progressive phenotypes that, in contrast to severe progressive ILD, indolently accrue irreversible organ damage resulting in later-stage life-limiting complications such as pulmonary hypertension, cardiac involvement, and malnutrition. A single SSc patient visit often requires much more physician and staff time, organization, vigilance, and direct management for multiple organ systems compared to other rheumatic or pulmonary diseases. Efficiency and efficacy of comprehensive SSc care enlists trending of symptoms and bio-data. Financial sustainability of SSc care benefits from understanding insurance reimbursement and health system allocation policies for complex patients. Sharing care between recognised SSc centers and local cardiology/pulmonary/rheumatology/gastroenterology colleagues may prevent complications and poor outcomes, while providing support to local specialists. As scleroderma specialists, we offer a practical framework with tools to facilitate an optimal, comprehensive and sustainable approach to SSc care. Improved health outcomes in SSc relies upon recogntion, management and, to the extent possible, prevention of SSc and treatment-related complications.