Reliability, Validity and Responsiveness of Physical Activity Monitors in Patients with Inflammatory Myopathy

Quality of life in patients with myositis is associated with functional capacity, body composition, and disease activity-Baseline data from a randomized controlled trial

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the potential associations between functional capacity, muscle strength, body composition, and disease-related measures and quality of life in patients with myositis.

METHODS

Baseline measures of functional capacity (functional index 3 (FI3), 2-minute walk test (2MWT), timed up and go (TUG) and 30-s sit-to-stand (30-STS)), muscle strength (incl. leg and handgrip strength), maximal leg extensor power, body composition (appendicular lean mass, fat percentage/mass) and disease-related measures (disease activity & damage core sets) were examined for their associations with quality of life (physical- and mental component summary scores, Short Form 36 questionnaire (SF-36)) by means of Spearman's correlation analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 32 patients with myositis were included. Positive correlations between SF-36 physical component summary score (PCS) and FI3, 30-STS, TUG, 2MWT, leg extensor power, leg strength, bench press strength, and handgrip strength were observed. In contrast, fat percentage and fat mass correlated negatively with PCS. In disease-related measures, Extramuscular global assessment, health assessment questionnaire, physician global damage, and patient global damage scores were negatively associated with SF-36 PCS. No correlations to the mental component summary score of SF-36 were observed.

CONCLUSION

All measures of functional capacity were positively related to the SF-36 physical component summary score, indicating higher functional capacity positively affects quality of life in patients with myositis. Health assessment questionnaire and patient global damage scores demonstrated the strongest correlations with SF-36 physical component summary scores, further supporting these patient-reported outcomes as viable monitoring tools in patients with myositis.

Idiopathic inflammatory myopathies: current insights and future frontiers

Idiopathic inflammatory myopathies are a group of autoimmune diseases with a broad spectrum of clinical presentations, primarily characterised by immune-mediated muscle injury. Until recently, there was little insight into the pathogenesis of idiopathic inflammatory myopathies, which challenged the recognition of the breadth of heterogeneity of this group of diseases as well as the development of new therapeutics. However, the landscape of idiopathic inflammatory myopathies is evolving. In the past decade, advances in diagnostic tools have facilitated an enhanced understanding of the underlying disease mechanisms in idiopathic inflammatory myopathies, enabling the expansion of therapeutic trials. The fields of transcriptomics, prot§eomics, and machine learning offer the potential to gain greater insights into the underlying pathophysiology of idiopathic inflammatory myopathies. Harnessing insights gained from these sophisticated tools could contribute to the identification of differences at a molecular level among patients, accelerating the development of targeted, tailored therapies. Bolstered by the validation and standardisation of robust outcome measures, many promising therapies are in clinical trial development. Although challenges remain, there is great optimism in the field due to the progress in innovative diagnostics, outcome measures, and therapeutic approaches. In this Review, we discuss the expanding landscape of idiopathic inflammatory myopathies as the frontier of precision medicine becomes imminent.

Digital Approaches for Myositis

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

This article serves as a comprehensive review, focusing on digital approaches utilized in the diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment of patients with idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM). The authors critically assess the literature published in the last three years, evaluating the advancements and progress achieved in this specific domain.

RECENT FINDINGS

Remarkable strides have been made in the realm of digital diagnostic support, particularly in image analysis and clinical prediction models, showing promise in aiding the diagnosis of IIM. The field of remote patient monitoring has also witnessed significant advancements, revolutionizing the care process by offering more convenient, data-driven, and continuous monitoring for IIM patients. Various digital tools, such as wearables, video- and voice consultations, and electronic patient-reported outcomes, have been extensively explored and implemented to enhance patient care. Survey studies consistently reveal a high acceptance of telehealth services among patients. Additionally, internet-based studies have facilitated the efficient and rapid recruitment of IIM patients for research purposes. Moreover, the integration of sensors and exoskeletons has shown great potential in significantly improving the functionality and quality of life for individuals with muscle weakness caused by IIM. The integration of digital health solutions in the care of IIM patients is steadily gaining attention and exploration. Although the existing evidence is limited, it does indicate that patients can be adequately and safely supported through digital means throughout their entire healthcare journey. The growing interest in digital health technologies holds the promise of improving the overall management and outcomes for individuals with idiopathic inflammatory myopathies.

Measurement properties of device-based physical activity instruments in ambulatory adults with physical disabilities and/or chronic diseases: a scoping review

BACKGROUND

People with physical disabilities and/or chronic diseases tend to have an inactive lifestyle. Monitoring physical activity levels is important to provide insight on how much and what types of activities people with physical disabilities and/or chronic diseases engage in. This information can be used as input for interventions to promote a physically active lifestyle. Therefore, valid and reliable physical activity measurement instruments are needed. This scoping review aims 1) to provide a critical mapping of the existing literature and 2) directions for future research on measurement properties of device-based instruments assessing physical activity behavior in ambulant adults with physical disabilities and/or chronic diseases.

METHODS

Four databases (MEDLINE, CINAHL, Web of Science, Embase) were systematically searched from 2015 to April 16th 2023 for articles investigating measurement properties of device-based instruments assessing physical activity in ambulatory adults with physical disabilities and/or chronic diseases. For the majority, screening and selection of eligible studies were done in duplicate. Extracted data were publication data, study data, study population, device, studied measurement properties and study outcome. Data were synthesized per device.

RESULTS

One hundred three of 21566 Studies were included. 55 Consumer-grade and 23 research-grade devices were studied on measurement properties, using 14 different physical activity outcomes, in 23 different physical disabilities and/or chronic diseases. ActiGraph (n = 28) and Fitbit (n = 39) devices were most frequently studied. Steps (n = 68) was the most common used physical activity outcome. 97 studies determined validity, 11 studies reliability and 6 studies responsiveness.

CONCLUSION

This scoping review shows a large variability in research on measurement properties of device-based instruments in ambulatory adults with physical disabilities and/or chronic diseases. The variability highlights a need for standardization of and consensus on research in this field. The review provides directions for future research.

Treatment with add-on IVIg in Myositis Early In the diSease course May be sUperior to Steroids alone for reaching CLinical improvEment (TIME IS MUSCLE): study protocol of a phase-2 double-blind placebo-controlled randomised trial

INTRODUCTION

For idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM) ('myositis') standard initial treatment is high-dosed glucocorticoids, which results in relatively slow improvement of muscle strength. Early immunosuppression or modulation by intensive treatment ('hit-early, hit-hard') may induce faster reduction of disease activity and prevent chronic disability due to disease-induced structural muscle damage. Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) in addition to standard glucocorticoid treatment may be promising in this regard as was shown in various studies: add-on IVIg improved symptoms and muscle strength in refractory myositis patients and monotherapy IVIg improved outcomes after 9 weeks, in about half of treatment-naive patients.

HYPOTHESIS

We hypothesise that early add-on IVIg leads to a greater clinical response after 12 weeks in patients with newly diagnosed myositis, in comparison to prednisone monotherapy. Second, we expect that early treatment with add-on IVIg leads to a faster time to improvement and sustained positive effects on multiple secondary outcomes.

METHODS

The Time Is Muscle trial is a phase-2 double-blind placebo-controlled randomised trial. Forty-eight patients with IIM will be treated with IVIg or placebo at baseline (within 1 week after diagnosis) and after 4 and 8 weeks, in addition to standard therapy with prednisone. The primary outcome is the Total Improvement Score (TIS) of the myositis response criteria at 12 weeks. At baseline, and after 4, 8, 12, 26 and 52 weeks, relevant secondary outcomes will be assessed, including time to moderate improvement (TIS≥40), mean daily prednisone dosage, physical activity, health-related quality of life, fatigue and MRI muscle imaging parameters.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

Ethical approval was obtained from the medical ethics committee of the Academic Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam, the Netherlands (2020_180; including a first amendment approval at the 12 April 2023; A2020_180_0001). The results will be distributed through conference presentations and peer-reviewed publications.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

EU Clinical trials register (2020-001710-37).

Physical activity assessment with wearable devices in rheumatic diseases: a systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVES

In the management of rheumatic musculoskeletal disorders (RMDs), regular physical activity (PA) is an important recognized non-pharmacological intervention. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to evaluate how the use of wearable devices (WDs) impacts physical activity in patients with noninflammatory and inflammatory rheumatic diseases.

METHODS

A comprehensive search of articles was performed in PubMed, Embase, CINAHL and Scopus. A random-effect meta-analysis was carried out on the number of steps and moderate-vigorous physical activity (MVPA). Univariable meta-regression models were computed to assess the possibility that the study characteristics may act as modifiers on the final meta-analysis estimate.

RESULTS

In the analysis, 51 articles were included, with a total of 7488 participants. Twenty-two studies considered MVPA outcome alone, 16 studies considered the number of steps alone, and 13 studies reported information on both outcomes. The recommended PA threshold was reached for MVPA (36.35, 95% CI 29.39, 43.31) but not for daily steps (-1092.60, -1640.42 to -544.77). Studies on patients with fibromyalgia report a higher number (6290, 5198.65-7381.62) of daily steps compared with other RMDs. Patients affected by chronic inflammatory arthropathies seemed to fare better in terms of daily steps than the other categories. Patients of younger age reported a higher overall level of PA than elderly individuals for both the number of steps and MVPA.

CONCLUSION

Physical activity can be lower than the recommended threshold in patients with RMDs when objectively measured using WD. WDs could be a useful and affordable instrument for daily monitoring physical activity in RMDs and may support an increase in activity levels.

PROSPERO TRIAL REGISTRATION

CRD42021227681, https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=227681.

Reliability and validity of PROMIS physical function, pain interference, and fatigue as patient reported outcome measures in adult idiopathic inflammatory myopathies: International study from the OMERACT myositis working group

OBJECTIVE

Pain interference, fatigue, and impaired physical function are common features of idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM). The objective of this study was to evaluate the construct validity and test-retest reliability of the Patient Reported Outcome Information System (PROMIS) Pain Interference 6av1.0, Fatigue 7av1.0, and Physical Function 8bv2.0 instruments.

METHODS

Patient-Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs) were deployed to adult IIM patients from OMERACT Myositis Working Group (MWG) international clinic sites via two online surveys (2019, 2021). Internal consistency of each PROM was analyzed by Cronbach's α. Construct validity was determined by a priori hypotheses generated by the MWG with >75% agreement for each hypothesis and calculated with Pearson correlations. Test-retest reliability was assessed using intraclass correlation coefficient with PROMIS instruments administered at time zero and 7 days.

RESULTS

Surveys were sent to 368 participants in total; participants who completed each questionnaire varied (n=65 to 263). For construct validity, 10 out of 13 a priori hypotheses were met supporting construct validity of PROMIS instruments (Pain Interference 3/4, fatigue 4/4, and Physical Function 3/5). Test-retest reliability was strong for all PROMIS instruments. All PROMIS instruments demonstrated excellent internal consistency. None of the measures demonstrated any ceiling or floor effects except for a ceiling effect in the Pain Interference instrument.

CONCLUSIONS

This study presents test-retest reliability and construct validity evidence supporting PROMIS Pain Interference (6a v1.0), Fatigue (7a v1.0), and Physical Function (8b v2.0) using a large international cohort of patients with IIM. Internal consistency of these instruments was excellent. A ceiling effect was noted in the Pain Interference instrument.

Pain in autoimmune inflammatory myopathies: a scoping review

BACKGROUND

Pain is considered a priority for research by adult patients with autoimmune inflammatory myopathy (AIM) and their families. Our aim was to review the literature for studies reporting on pain in adult AIM and to summarise their findings.

METHODS

A scoping review was conducted searching for studies in PubMed and MEDLINE including more than five adult patients with AIM and assessing pain using a patient-reported outcome measure. Study population characteristics, pain measurement and clinical correlates of pain were extracted using a standardised protocol.

RESULTS

The search strategy identified 2831 studies with 33 meeting inclusion criteria. Most studies used visual analogue scales (n=14) and/or the Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short Form Bodily Pain Scale (n=17). Frequency of pain and/or myalgias ranged from 64% to 100%. Subjects with AIM had significantly more pain than the general population and comparable pain to other chronic rheumatic diseases. Insufficient results were available to identify significant clinical correlates of pain in AIM.

CONCLUSION

This review suggests that the burden of pain in AIM is considerable. Still, due to the heterogeneity and low quality of the evidence, significant knowledge gaps persist. Studies are needed to characterise pain trajectories of patients with AIM.

Future challenges in rheumatology – is telemedicine the solution?

The COVID-19 pandemic has become an unprecedented facilitator of rapid telehealth expansion within rheumatology. Due to demographic shifts and workforce shortages in the future, new models of rheumatology care will be expected to emerge, with a growing footprint of telehealth interventions. Telehealth is already being used to monitor patients with rheumatic diseases and initial studies show good results in terms of safety and disease progression. It is being used as a tool for appointment prioritization and triage, and there is good evidence for using telehealth in rehabilitation, patient education and self-management interventions. Electronic patient-reported outcomes (ePROs) offer a number of long-term benefits and opportunities, and a routine collection of ePROs also facilitates epidemiological research that can inform future healthcare delivery. Telehealth solutions should be developed in close collaboration with all stakeholders, and the option of a telehealth visit must not deprive patients of the possibility to make use of a conventional ‘face-to-face’ visit. Future studies should especially focus on optimal models for rheumatology healthcare delivery to patients living in remote areas who are unable to use or access computer technology, and other patient groups at risk for disparity due to technical inequity and lack of knowledge.

Assessment of Physical Activity and Muscle Function in Adult Inflammatory Myopathies

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The aim is to summarize the outcome measures used in the assessment and monitoring of muscle function and physical activity in the management idiopathic inflammatory myopathy.

RECENT FINDINGS

Assessment techniques have progressed and matured over the past decade, and new options are now available to clinicians working in this field. Newer outcome measures, including the Functional Index-3 and wearable motion sensors are reviewed, as well as the current application of more established measures. The available outcome measures for use in clinical practice in idiopathic inflammatory myopathies with regard to muscle function and physical activity have expanded over the past 15 years. There are valid and reliable options for several domains and methods for assessing these factors. In a busy clinical setting, efficiency is important, but there also needs to be considered the choosing of tools that work together to give the fullest picture of the status of the patient.

Physician centricity in the deployment of digital solutions for neurological conditions

The widespread deployment of telemedical approaches to managed care during the CoV2 pandemic has provided an opportunity for clinicians to engage in the development and refinement of this mode of delivery. This also represents a pivotal moment to help effect a paradigm shift in how new and more sophisticated digital health services are designed and delivered with the caregiver playing a guiding role. Building on momentum this way can allow the fuller potential of digital health to be realized by focusing on “end user pull” which balances the omnipresent “technology push” of the consumer product and medical device industries. Perhaps nowhere is this more critical than in the care of neurological illnesses where patient–provider interactions must be managed frequently and rely on a complex battery of data measures. The emergent role of the physician-entrepreneur can be envisioned, complimenting established physician-scientist career paths and represents a timely and opportune moment to refine medical education curricula.

Validation of two simple patient-centered outcome measures for virtual monitoring of patients with idiopathic inflammatory myositis

BACKGROUND

Telemedicine has changed the landscape of patient care with wider use of patient-centered outcome measures (PCOMs). We evaluated two novel task-based PCOMs namely ten times arm lift (AL) test and two-minute walk distance (2MWD) in idiopathic myositis (IIM).

METHODS

This was a cross-sectional observational study with the enrolment of adult IIM (ACR/EULAR criteria) patients with active/inactive disease. Active disease was defined as any two of increase in immunosuppression within 3 months, elevated muscle enzymes, physician VAS ≥ 2, worsened cutaneous disease, or fall in MMT8 < 76. Standard myositis core set measures (CSMs) were evaluated and test-retest validity [Cronbach's alfa (CA)], construct validity (Pearson's correlation), and discriminant validity (between active/inactive IIM) were assessed. The results were further validated in a separate tele-rheumatology cohort.

RESULTS

Among 22 IIM patients (68%-female) of age 30.5(19-62) years, AL and 2MWD showed excellent test-retest reliability (CA-0.987, 0.99). AL exhibited moderate-strong correlation with all CSMs except CK levels and MDI. In contrast, 2MWD values were highly variable without CSM correlation. A higher AL time discriminated active and inactive myositis (16.6 vs 11 s, p = 0.006) with an AUC of 0.882 (p = 0.006). AL > 12.8 s had 94% negative predictive value (NPV) for active muscle disease. In the validation cohort (47 patient visits among 26 patients), AL significantly differentiated between active vs. inactive disease with an NPV of 95%.

CONCLUSIONS

AL test exhibits pilot evidence of construct and discriminant validity in patients with IIM requiring further evaluation. 2MWD was not a good test for outcome evaluation of IIM patients. Key Points • Novel task-based patient-centered outcome measures were evaluated for remote monitoring of muscle strength in IIM. • Ten times arm lift (AL) test showed strong test-retest reliability as well as provide pilot evidence of construct and discriminant validity in patients with IIM unlike 2-min walk distance. • This provides preliminary evidence to further evaluate the role of AL as patient-centered outcome measure in patients with IIM for virtual clinical trials.

Consumer-based activity trackers in evaluation of physical activity in myositis patients

OBJECTIVES

Inflammatory myopathies are characterized by muscle weakness that limit activities of daily living. Daily step count is an accepted metric of physical activity. Wearable technologies such as Fitbit® enable tracking of daily step counts. We assessed psychometric properties of Fitbit® and compared the accuracy of Fitbit® step counts to ActiGraph®.

METHODS

This was a pilot, proof of concept, prospective observational study with 4 visits at 0, 1-, 3-, and 6-months in polymyositis (PM), dermatomyositis (DM), necrotizing myopathy (NM) or anti-synthetase syndrome (AS) subjects. Six core set measures [manual muscle testing, physician (MD-GDA), patient (PT-GDA), and extra-muscular disease activity, HAQ-DI and creatine kinase], 3 functional tests [six-minute walk, timed up-and-go, sit-to-stand tests] and SF-36 physical function-10 (PF10) were collected at each visit. Patients wore waist-worn Fitbit® One and ActiGraph® T3X-BT concurrently for 7 days/month for 6-months.

RESULTS

Twenty-four (10 DM, 8 PM/NM, 6 AS) patients (17 females/7 males; 91% Caucasian) were enrolled. Test-retest reliability of daily steps was strong in 1-month follow-up (ICC 0.89). Daily steps and peak 1-min cadence showed moderate-strong correlations with MD-GDA, PT-GDA, HAQ-DI, SF-36 PF10 and all three functional tests. Fitbit® and ActiGraph® step counts demonstrated good agreement and strong correlation (ICC 0.96).

CONCLUSION

Fitbit® daily steps and peak 1-min cadence are reliable and valid measures of physical activity in a cohort of myositis patients. This pilot data suggests that Fitbit® has a potential for use in clinical practice and trials to monitor physical activity in myositis patients, but larger studies are needed for further validation.

How to manage with telemedicine people with neuromuscular diseases?

INTRODUCTION

COVID-19 pandemic radically transformed our daily clinical practice, raising the need not to lose close contact with patients without being able to see them face-to-face. These issues are even more felt and evident in fragile patients, as those affected by neuromuscular disease. An important help came from new digital technologies that allow clinicians to remotely monitor health status and any deterioration of chronically ill patients.

METHODS

In this mini-review, an initiative of the "Digital Technologies, Web and Social Media Study Group" of the Italian Society of Neurology, we propose to analyze the approach to neuromuscular patients by looking over raising evidence on the main cornerstones of Telemedicine (TM): clinician-patient interaction, remote clinical assessment, remote monitoring, and digital therapeutics. In particular, we explored the strategies developed by researchers and their impact on the physical and emotional status of the patients, with particular focusing on their adherence to the program of virtual monitoring.

RESULTS

TM plays an important role in each of four stages of approach to neuromuscular disease, having demonstrated validity in keep close clinical patient interaction, clinical assessment, remote monitoring, and telerehabilitation. Nevertheless, there is no remote alternative to electrophysiological testing neither validate tools to assess disability.

CONCLUSION

The role of TM in neuromuscular care is yet underestimated but is crucial, beyond the pandemic era. Further development of TM is advisable, through making specific apps, remotely controlled by clinicians, and making more engaging clinicians-patients interaction. Last, it is necessary to ensure adequate internet access to everyone.