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.

Efficacy of lifestyle interventions in the management of systemic lupus erythematosus: a systematic review of the literature

We performed a systematic review to explore existing evidence regarding the efficacy of lifestyle interventions for the management of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The search was conducted on the 22nd of June 2021 for publications between 1st of January 2000 and the date of search. Additional articles within the aforementioned timeframe and until December 2023 were added by hand searching. Databases utilized were Medline, Embase, Web of Science, and Cinahl. Lifestyle interventions were defined as any intervention encompassing one or more of the following: physical exercise, diet and nutrition, mental health, harmful exposures, sleep, and social relations. The Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal tools were used for risk of bias assessment. The search yielded 11,274 unique records, we assessed the full text of 199 records, and finally included 102 studies. Overall, the quality of the evidence is limited, and there were multiple sources of heterogeneity. The two domains most extensively researched were mental health (40 records) and physical exercise (39 records). Psychological interventions had a positive effect on depressive symptoms, anxiety, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL), whereas physical exercise improved fatigue, depressive symptoms, aerobic capacity, and physical functioning. Studies on diet and nutrition (15 records) support that low fat intake and Mediterranean diet may be beneficial for reducing cardiovascular risk, but large interventional studies are lacking. Studies on harmful exposures (7 records) support photoprotection and use of sunscreen. While studies imply benefits regarding disease burden and drug efficacy in non-smokers and regarding HRQoL in normal-weight patients, more survey is needed on tobacco smoking and alcohol consumption, as well as weight control strategies. Studies on social relations (1 record) and sleep (no records) were sparse or non-existent. In conclusion, psychosocial interventions are viable for managing depressive symptoms, and exercise appears essential for reducing fatigue and improving aerobic capacity and physical function. Photoprotection should be recommended to all patients. Lifestyle interventions should be considered a complement, not a substitute, to pharmacotherapy.

Lifestyle interventions in the management of systemic sclerosis: a systematic review of the literature

Objectives

We aimed to investigate the efficacy of lifestyle interventions for the management of SSc.

Methods

We searched the MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science and CINAHL databases in June 2021. We included studies conducted on five or more patients with SSc published between 1 January 2000 and the search date evaluating lifestyle interventions, excluding systematic reviews without meta-analyses. Critical appraisal was conducted using critical appraisal tools from the Joanna Briggs Institute. Thirty-six studies were included for full-text evaluation.

Results

A total of 17 studies evaluated the effect of physical exercise alone, whereas 14 studies evaluated educational interventions for mental health management, often with physical exercise as a central component. At an aggregated level, these studies support patient education and physical exercise for the improvement of physical function, in particular hand and mouth function. Studies on diet and nutrition were few (n = 5) and pertained to gastrointestinal as well as anthropometric outcomes; these studies were insufficient to support any conclusions.

Conclusion

Physical exercise and patient education should be considered for improving physical function in patients with SSc. These interventions can be provided alongside pharmacotherapy, but there is no evidence supporting that they can be a substitute. Further research should aim at assessing the effects of reductions of harmful exposures, including tobacco smoking and alcohol, improving sleep and enhancing social relations, three hitherto underexplored facets of lifestyle in the context of SSc.

First and final year physiotherapy students' expectations of their future profession

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Students' expectations of their future profession may have an impact on their professional development. This study aimed to describe first and final year physiotherapy students' expectations of their future profession.

METHODS

A total of 96 respondents participated; 45 students in their first semester 2006, and 51 students in their final semester 2014. Individual written reflections were analyzed separately for each semester, using qualitative manifest inductive content analysis.

RESULTS

The analysis resulted in six categories from each semester. The categories from the first semester were: 1) Professional and person-centered; 2) Promote health in a holistic way; 3) Competence makes the patient and therapist feel confident; 4) Focus on education and behavioral change; 5) Confirmed as a role model; and 6) The impact of previous experiences and an unknown situation. The categories from the final semester were: 1) Interaction and learning; 2) Confidence by competence; 3) Value the work environment and knowledge exchange; 4) Personal goals and strategies; 5) Specialist or generalist work; and 6) Work with public health in a global world.

CONCLUSIONS

In the first semester, students described different work approaches, while students in the last semester described how approaches were to be used. Furthermore, students in their first semester referred more to previous experiences, while students in their final semester developed strategies to achieve their professional goals. These findings might contribute to guide students' in their continuous professional development based on their experiences and expectations.

Summarizing the effects of different exercise types in chronic neck pain - a systematic review and meta-analysis of systematic reviews

BACKGROUND

To date, no consensus exists as to whether one exercise type is more effective than another in chronic neck pain. This systematic review and meta-analysis of systematic reviews aimed to summarize the literature on the effect of various exercise types used in chronic neck pain and to assess the certainty of the evidence.

METHODS

We searched the databases Ovid MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Library, SportDiscus, and Web of Science (Core Collection) for systematic reviews and meta-analyses on adults between 18 and 70 years with chronic neck pain lasting ≥ 12 weeks which investigated the effects of exercises on pain and disability. The included reviews were grouped into motor control exercise (MCE), Pilates exercises, resistance training, traditional Chinese exercise (TCE), and yoga. Study quality was assessed with AMSTAR-2 and the level of certainty for the effects of the exercise through GRADE. A narrative analysis of the results was performed and in addition, meta-analyses when feasible.

RESULTS

Our database search resulted in 1,794 systematic reviews. We included 25 systematic reviews and meta-analyses including 17,321 participants (overlap not accounted for). The quality of the included reviews ranged from critically low to low (n = 13) to moderate to high (n = 12). We found low to high certainty of evidence that MCE, Pilates exercises, resistance training, TCE, and yoga have short-term positive effects on pain and that all exercise types except resistance training, show positive effects on disability compared to non-exercise controls. We found low to moderate certainty of evidence for conflicting results on pain and disability when the exercise types were compared to other exercise interventions in the short-term as well as in intermediate/long-term apart for yoga, as no long-term results were available.

CONCLUSION

Overall, our findings show low to high certainty of evidence for positive effects on pain and disability of the various exercise types used in chronic neck pain compared to non-exercise interventions, at least in the short-term. Based on our results, no optimal exercise intervention for patients with chronic neck pain can be recommended, since no large differences between the exercise types were shown here. Because the quality of the included systematic reviews varied greatly, future systematic reviews need to increase their methodological quality.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Prospero CRD42022336014.

Systematic literature review informing the EULAR recommendations for the non-pharmacological management of systemic lupus erythematosus and systemic sclerosis

Through this systematic literature review, we assembled evidence to inform the EULAR recommendations for the non-pharmacological management of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and systemic sclerosis (SSc). We screened articles published between January 2000 and June 2021. Studies selected for data extraction (118 for SLE and 92 for SSc) were thematically categorised by the character of their intervention. Of 208 articles included, 51 were classified as robust in critical appraisal. Physical activity was the most studied management strategy and was found to be efficacious in both diseases. Patient education and self-management also constituted widely studied topics. Many studies on SLE found psychological interventions to improve quality of life. Studies on SSc found phototherapy and laser treatment to improve cutaneous disease manifestations. In summary, non-pharmacological management of SLE and SSc encompasses a wide range of interventions, which can be combined and provided either with or without adjunct pharmacological treatment but should not aim to substitute the latter when this is deemed required. While some management strategies i.e., physical exercise and patient education, are already established in current clinical practice in several centres, others e.g., phototherapy and laser treatment, show both feasibility and efficacy, yet require testing in more rigorous trials than those hitherto conducted.

Combined Effects of Diet and Physical Activity on Inflammatory Joint Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Research evidence suggests that, individually, diet and physical activity are effective interventions for reducing levels of inflammation in inflammatory joint diseases (IJD), however little is known about their combined use. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to examine the effects and/or associations of combined diet and physical activity interventions in IJD, specifically rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and the spondyloarthropathies (SpA) (PROSPERO registration number: CRD42022370993). Ten out of 11 eligible studies examined RA patients. We found that a combination of diet/nutrition and physical activity/exercise improved Health Assessment Questionnaire score (standardized mean difference = -1.36, confidence interval (CI) = (-2.43)-(-0.30), I² = 90%, Z = 2.5, p = 0.01), while surprisingly they increased erythrocyte sedimentation rate (mean difference = 0.20, CI = 0.09-0.31, I² = 0%, Z = 3.45, p < 0.01). No effects were found on C-reactive protein or weight (p > 0.05) of RA patients. We did not find studies in other IJDs that provided sufficient data for a meta-analysis. The narrative data synthesis provided limited evidence to address our research question. No firm conclusions can be made as to whether the combination of diet/nutrition and physical activity/exercise affects inflammatory load in IJDs. The results of this study can only be used as a means of highlighting the low-quality evidence in this field of investigation and the need for further and better-quality research.

Educational readiness among health professionals in rheumatology: low awareness of EULAR offerings and unfamiliarity with the course content as major barriers-results of a EULAR-funded European survey

BACKGROUND

Ongoing education of health professionals in rheumatology (HPR) is critical for high-quality care. An essential factor is education readiness and a high quality of educational offerings. We explored which factors contributed to education readiness and investigated currently offered postgraduate education, including the European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology (EULAR) offerings.

METHODS AND PARTICIPANTS

We developed an online questionnaire, translated it into 24 languages and distributed it in 30 European countries. We used natural language processing and the Latent Dirichlet Allocation to analyse the qualitative experiences of the participants as well as descriptive statistics and multiple logistic regression to determine factors influencing postgraduate educational readiness. Reporting followed the Checklist for Reporting Results of Internet E-Surveys guideline.

RESULTS

The questionnaire was accessed 3589 times, and 667 complete responses from 34 European countries were recorded. The highest educational needs were 'professional development', 'prevention and lifestyle intervention'. Older age, more working experience in rheumatology and higher education levels were positively associated with higher postgraduate educational readiness. While more than half of the HPR were familiar with EULAR as an association and the respondents reported an increased interest in the content of the educational offerings, the courses and the annual congress were poorly attended due to a lack of awareness, comparatively high costs and language barriers.

CONCLUSIONS

To promote the uptake of EULAR educational offerings, attention is needed to increase awareness among national organisations, offer accessible participation costs, and address language barriers.

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.

The validity and reliability of the Swedish version of the Satisfaction with appearance scale for individuals with systemic sclerosis

Background

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) can lead to visible changes in appearance which could generate concerns among patients. Thus, valid questionnaires that capture these concerns are valuable to identify and communicate appearance concerns.

Objective

To determine aspects of the validity and reliability of the Swedish version of the Satisfaction with Appearance scale for individuals with SSc (SWAP-Swe in SSc).

Methods

Content validity was assessed by interviews. In a cross-sectional design, construct validity was evaluated by comparing the self-reported questionnaire SWAP-Swe in SSc to the Scleroderma Health Assessment Questionnaire (SSc HAQ), Patient Health Questionnaire-8 (PHQ-8), RAND-36, modified Rodnan skin score (mRSS), disease duration and age using Spearman's rank correlations (r_s ). Internal consistency was evaluated by Cronbach's alpha coefficient and corrected item-to-total correlations. Test-retest reliability was investigated using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC).

Results

Eleven patients and 10 health professionals participated in the assessment of content validity. For the other aspects of validity and reliability 134 patients (median age 62 years, women 81%, limited cutaneous SSc 75%) participated. Overall, the content validity was satisfactory. The SWAP-Swe in SSc correlated with SSc HAQ (HAQ-DI r_s  = 0.50, visual analogue scales r_s  = 0.24-0.41), PHQ-8 (r_s  = 0.46), RAND-36 (r_s  = -0.21 to -0.47), mRSS (r_s  = 0.28), disease duration (r_s  = -0.01) and age (r_s  = -0.15). The Cronbach's alpha coefficient was 0.92, corrected item-to-total correlations ⩾ 0.45 and the ICC 0.82.

Conclusion

The SWAP-Swe in SSc showed satisfactory content validity, sufficient and good internal consistency and sufficient test-retest reliability. It was more strongly associated with self-reported questionnaires than with physician-assessed skin involvement and age, indicating that appearance concerns in SSc seem to be multidimensional as earlier reported. Our study contributes with a thorough investigation of validity and reliability including aspects that have not been investigated before. However, evaluation of more validity aspects of the SWAP-Swe in SSc is suggested.

Exploring the effects of a combined exercise programme on pain and fatigue outcomes in people with systemic sclerosis: study protocol for a large European multi-centre randomised controlled trial

Background

Pain, related to Raynaud’s phenomenon or digital ulceration, has been identified as very prevalent and debilitating symptoms of systemic sclerosis (SSc), both significantly affecting patients’ quality of life (QoL). Pharmacological therapeutic strategies were found not to be sufficiently effective in the management of SSc-induced pain and fatigue, and evidence for exercise is scarce. As yet, the effects of a long-term, tailored exercise programme on pain and fatigue in patients with SSc have not been explored. In addition to pain and fatigue, this study aims to evaluate the effects of exercise on QoL, physical fitness, functional capacity, and vascular structure in people with SSc (PwSSc).

Methods

This will be a multicentre (n = 6) randomised controlled clinical trial to assess the effect of a previously established, supervised 12-week combined exercise programme on pain and fatigue as compared to no exercise in PwSSc. The study will recruit 180 patients with SSc that will be allocated randomly to two groups. Group A will perform the exercise programme parallel to standard usual care and group B will receive usual care alone. Patients in the exercise group will undertake two, 45-min sessions each week consisting of 30-min high-intensity interval training (HIIT) (30-s 100% peak power output/30-s passive recovery) on an arm crank ergometer and 15 min of upper body circuit resistance training. Patients will be assessed before as well as at 3 and 6 months following randomisation. Primary outcomes of the study will be pain and fatigue assessed via questionnaires. Secondary outcomes include quality of life, structure of digital microvasculature, body composition, physical fitness, and functional capacity.

Discussion

Data from this multi-centre research clinical trial will primarily be used to establish the effectiveness of a combined exercise protocol to improve pain and fatigue in SSc. In parallel, this study will be the first to explore the effects of long-term exercise on potential microvascular alterations assessed via NVC. Overall, this study will provide sufficient data to inform current clinical practice guidelines and may lead to an improvement of QoL for patients with SSc.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05234671. Registered on 14 January 2022

Six-Minute Walking Test and 30 Seconds Chair-Stand-Test as Predictors of Mortality in COPD - A Cohort Study

Background

Physical inactivity is strongly associated with worse prognosis in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), and assessment of physical function is very important. The six minute walking test (6MWT) is an established test known to predict mortality in COPD, and 30 seconds chair stand test (30sCST) is a potential alternative test. The study aimed to investigate and compare the associations of 6MWT and 30sCSTs with mortality.

Methods

Data on patient demographics, established mortality predictors and results from 6MWT and 30sCST were collected from 2016 to 2019 from 97 consecutively included patients with COPD. In August 2021, mortality data were retrieved from patient records. Correlation analysis of 6MWT and 30sCST was performed. The predictive abilities of 6MWT and 30sCST, respectively, were analyzed using Kaplan Meyer-curves and Cox regression with adjustment for sex, age, body mass index below 22 and comorbid cardiovascular disease.

Results

A positive correlation between 6MWT and 30sCST was shown (r = 0.61, p < 0.0001). Independent associations with mortality were found for 6MWD 250–349 (HR (95% CI) 3.19 (1.12 to 9.10), p = 0.030) and 6MWD <250 (4.27 (1.69 to10.8), p = 0.002) compared with 6MWD ≥350 meters, and for 30sCST <4 (3.31 (1.03 to 10.6), p = 0.045) compared with 30sCST≥11 risings. When both 6MWT and 30sCST were included in the multivariable model, 6MWD 250–349 (3.09 (1.02 to 9.37), p = 0.046) and 6MWD <250 (3.57 (1.26 to 10.1), p = 0.016) compared with 6MWD ≥350 meters predicted mortality.

Conclusion

30sCST and 6MWT correlates moderately and are independently associated with mortality in patients with COPD. Although 6MWT is the best predictor of mortality, 30sCST may be used as an alternative to identify patients at risk.

Summarizing the effects of different exercise types in chronic low back pain - a systematic review of systematic reviews

Background

In chronic LBP (CLBP), guideline-endorsed treatment is to stay active, return to normal activity, and to exercise. Several reviews on various exercise types used in CLBP have been published. We aimed to identify systematic reviews of common exercise types used in CLBP, to appraise their quality, and to summarize and compare their effect on pain and disability.

Methods

We searched the databases OVID MEDLINE, EMBASE, COCHRANE LIBRARY, and WEB OF SCIENCE (Core collection) for systematic reviews and meta-analyses on adults between 18 and 70 years of age suffering from chronic or recurrent LBP for a period of at least 12 weeks, which investigated the effects of exercises on pain and disability. All searches were conducted without language restriction. The search was performed up until 2022–01-26. The included reviews were grouped into nine exercise types: aerobic training, aquatic exercises, motor control exercises (MCE), resistance training, Pilates, sling exercises, traditional Chinese exercises (TCE), walking, and yoga. The study quality was assessed with AMSTAR-2. For each exercise type, a narrative analysis was performed, and the level of evidence for the effects of exercise was assessed through GRADE.

Results

Our database search resulted in 3,475 systematic reviews. Out of the 253 full texts that were screened, we included 45 systematic reviews and meta-analyses. The quality of the included reviews ranged from high to critically low. Due to large heterogeneity, no meta-analyses were performed. We found low-to-moderate evidence of mainly short-term and small beneficial effects on pain and disability for MCE, Pilates, resistance training, TCE, and yoga compared to no or minimal intervention.

Conclusions

Our findings show that the effect of various exercise types used in CLBP on pain and disability varies with no major difference between exercise types. Many of the included systematic reviews were of low-to-moderate quality and based on randomized controlled trials with high risk of bias. The conflicting results seen, undermine the certainty of the results leading to very-low-to-moderate quality of evidence for our results. Future systematic reviews should be of higher quality to minimize waste of resources.

Trial registration

PROSPERO: Reg no 190409 Registration date 01AUG 2020.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12891-022-05722-x.

Assessing acceptability and identifying barriers and facilitators to implementation of the EULAR recommendations for patient education in inflammatory arthritis: a mixed-methods study with rheumatology professionals in 23 European and Asian countries

OBJECTIVES

To disseminate and assess the level of acceptability and applicability of the European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology (EULAR) recommendations for patient education among professionals in rheumatology across Europe and three Asian countries and identify potential barriers and facilitators to their application.

METHODS

A parallel convergent mixed-methods design with an inductive approach was used. A web-based survey, available in 20 different languages, was distributed to health professionals by non-probability sampling. The level of agreement and applicability of each recommendation was assessed by (0-10) rating scales. Barriers and facilitators to implementation were assessed using free-text responses. Quantitative data were analysed descriptively and qualitative data by content analysis and presented in 16 categories supported by quotes.

RESULTS

A total of 1159 completed the survey; 852 (73.5%) were women. Most of the professionals were nurses (n=487), rheumatologists (n=320), physiotherapists (n=158). For all recommendations, the level of agreement was high but applicability was lower. The four most common barriers to application were lack of time, lack of training in how to provide patient education, not having enough staff to perform this task and lack of evaluation tools. The most common facilitators were tailoring patient education to individual patients, using group education, linking patient education with diagnosis and treatment and inviting patients to provide feedback on patient education delivery.

CONCLUSIONS

This project has disseminated the EULAR recommendations for patient education to health professionals across 23 countries. Potential barriers to their application were identified and some are amenable to change, namely training patient education providers and developing evaluation tools.

POS1506-HPR SYSTEMATIC LITERATURE REVIEW TO INFORM THE EULAR TASK FORCE FOR RECOMMENDATIONS/POINTS TO CONSIDER FOR THE NON-PHARMACOLOGICAL MANAGEMENT OF SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS AND SYSTEMIC SCLEROSIS

Background

The heterogeneity and complexity of the chronic autoimmune diseases systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and systemic sclerosis (SSc) necessitate comprehensive person-centred management, including non-pharmacological approaches. Recommendations for non-pharmacological management are currently lacking.

Objectives

To perform a systematic literature review to inform the EULAR task force for recommendations/points to consider for the non-pharmacological management of adult patients with SLE and SSc. Among research questions formulated by the task force, we aimed at identifying (i) non-pharmacological interventions that have been evaluated and (ii) their target health domains or organ systems.

Methods

We searched the Medline, Embase, Web of Science Core Collection and CINAHL for articles published between January 2000 and June 2021. From the initial search (n=15,803), 2 researchers independently performed the article selection. Conflicts were discussed until consensus with 2 additional researchers. Subsequent data extraction from the selected articles was performed by 4 researchers, with an overarching guidance by 2 additional researchers. Risk of bias assessment was performed according to Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Checklists.

Results

A total of 111 articles for SLE and 75 for SSc were selected for analysis.

Non-pharmacological interventions identified for SLE included physical exercise (n=34), psychological support (n=21), dietary therapy and nutrition (n=15), patient education and self-management (n=14), photoprotection (n=5), medication adherence interventions (n=5), complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) e.g., Chinese medicine (n=5), multidisciplinary care (n=4), and phototherapy/laser modalities (n=4).

Interventions identified for SSc included physical exercise e.g., hand, oral and general exercise (n=21), phototherapy/laser modalities or shockwave therapy (n=15), patient education and self-management (n=10), CAM (n=8), hand-bathing e.g., in paraffin (n=5), manual therapy e.g., osteopathic manipulative treatment (n=5), dietary therapy and nutrition (n=5), oral hygiene (n=2), hyperbaric oxygen or ozone therapy (n=2) and multidisciplinary care (n=2).

Target health domains and organ systems identified within SLE included (in descending order) (i) disease activity, (ii) health-related quality of life (HRQoL), (iii) depression/anxiety, (iv) fatigue, (v) organ damage, (vi) inflammatory markers, (vii) psychological stress, (viii) pain, (ix) body composition/anthropometry, and (x) aerobic capacity.

Intervention targets in SSc included (i) functional impairment e.g., hand mobility, (ii) skin sclerosis including microstomia, (iii) HRQoL, (iv) pain, (v) circulation e.g., Raynaud’s phenomena and telangiectasias, (vi) skin ulcers, (vii) oral hygiene, (viii) fatigue, (ix) digestion, and (x) depression/anxiety.

Conclusion

Physical exercise was a frequently researched non-pharmacological intervention within both SLE and SSc. While psychological support and dietary therapy/nutrition were frequently investigated in SLE, phototherapy modalities were common in SSc. Patient education and self-management was advocated in both SLE and SSc literature. HRQoL was a frequent target domain in both diseases; while disease activity and psychosocial domains emerged as important targets in SLE, functional impairment and skin-related aspects constituted predominant targets in SSc. Efficacy of interventions varied considerably across studies. Current evidence is limited by the overall small study populations, and the lack of large RCTs.

Table 1.

Studies categorised by design.

Study designSLESScMeta-analysis of RCTs51RCT (including long-term follow-up or post-hoc analysis)4128Non-randomised longitudinal controlled/cohort studies287Retrospective cohort study, cross-sectional or case-control study162Case series or open pilot studies2137

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the members of the EULAR task force for recommendations/points to consider for the non-pharmacological management of systemic lupus erythematosus and systemic sclerosis (in alphabetical order by family name) i.e., Helene Alexanderson, Laurent Arnaud, Oliver Distler, Andrea Domján, Els van den Ende, Kim Fligelstone, Agnes Kocher, Maddalena Larosa, Martin Lau, Alexandros Mitropoulos, Mwidimi Ndosi, Gunilla von Perner, Janet Poole, Anthony Redmond, Valentin Ritschl, Yvonne Sjöberg, Tillmann Uhlig, Cecília Varjú, Joke Vriezekolk, Elisabet Welin, and Rene Westhovens, for their contribution to the formulation of the research questions together with IP, CG, TS and CB.

Disclosure of Interests

None declared

Disseminating and assessing implementation of the EULAR recommendations for patient education in inflammatory arthritis: a mixed-methods study with patients' perspectives

Objectives

To explore patients’ agreement and reasons for agreement or disagreement with the EULAR recommendations for patient education (PE) for people with inflammatory arthritis (IA).

Methods

This mixed-method survey collected data using snowball sampling. The survey had been translated into 20 languages by local healthcare professionals, researchers and patient research partners. It explored the degree to which patients with IA agreed with each recommendation for PE (0=do not agree at all and 10=agree completely) and their rationale for their agreement level in free text questions. Descriptive statistics summarised participants’ demographics and agreement levels. Qualitative content analysis was used to analyse the free text data. Sixteen subcategories were developed, describing the reasons for agreement or disagreement with the recommendations, which constituted the categories.

Results

The sample comprised 2779 participants (79% female), with a mean (SD) age 55.1 (13.1) years and disease duration 17.1 (13.3) years. Participants strongly agreed with most recommendations (median 10 (IQR: 9–10) for most recommendations). Reasons for agreement with the recommendations included the benefit of using PE to facilitate collaborative care and shared decision making, the value of flexible and tailored PE, and the value of gaining support from other patients. Reasons for disagreement included lack of resources for PE, not wanting information to be tailored by healthcare professionals and a reluctance to use telephone-based PE.

Conclusion

The EULAR recommendations for PE have been disseminated among patients with IA. Overall, agreement levels were very high, suggesting that they reflect patients’ preferences for engaging in collaborative clinical care and using PE to facilitate and supplement their own understanding of IA. Reasons for not completely agreeing with the recommendations can inform implementation strategies and education of healthcare professionals.

The Experiences of Functioning and Health of Patients With Primary Sjögren's Syndrome: A Multicenter Qualitative European Study

Objective: To identify a spectrum of perspectives on functioning and health of patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) from the five European countries in order to reveal commonalities and insights in their experiences.

Methods: A multicenter focus group study on the patients with pSS about their perspectives of functioning and health was performed. Focus groups were chaired by trained moderators based on an interview guide, audiotaped, and transcribed. After conducting a meaning condensation analysis of each focus group, we subsequently combined the extracted concepts from each country and mapped them to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF).

Results: Fifty-one patients with pSS participated in 12 focus groups. We identified a total of 82 concepts meaningful to people with pSS. Of these, 55 (67%) were mentioned by the patients with pSS in at least four of five countries and 36 (44%) emerged in all the five countries. Most concepts were assigned to the ICF components activities and participation (n = 25, 30%), followed by 22 concepts (27%) that were considered to be not definable or not covered by the ICF; 15 concepts (18%) linked to body structures and functions. Participants reported several limitations in the daily life due to a mismatch between the capabilities of the person, the demands of the environment and the requirements of the activities.

Conclusion: Concepts that emerged in all the five non-English speaking countries may be used to guide the development and adaption of the patient-reported outcome measures and to enhance the provision of treatment options based on the aspects meaningful to patients with pSS in clinical routine.

Inflammatory Arthritis and the Effect of Physical Activity on Quality of Life and Self-reported Function: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis - The ENHANCE Study

OBJECTIVE

Although physical activity (PA) is an evidence-based intervention that reduces disease-related symptoms and comorbidity in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), PA's effect on self-reported function and Quality of Life (QoL) has not been analyzed. This study synthesizes the evidence for the effectiveness of PA on QoL and self-reported function in adults with RA, spondyloarthritis (SpA), and psoriatic arthritis (PsA).

METHODS

The databases PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) were searched to identify relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Screening, risk of bias assessment (using RoB 2.0 tool), and data extraction were independently performed by two or more of the authors. The meta-analyses were conducted with a random-effects model.

RESULTS

The systematic review included 55 RCTs and the meta-analysis included 37 RCTs. In 55 studies included, 76% investigated RA, 20% investigated SpA, and 4% investigated PsA. In RA effects were found on QoL and function compared to inactive controls, effects not sustained in comparison to active controls. In SpA the effects of PA on QoL were in favor of the control group. Effects on function were found compared to inactive controls and sustained in fatigue and pain when compared to active controls. In PsA no effects on QoL were found but on function compared to inactive controls. The effect size was below 0.30 in the majority of the comparisons.

CONCLUSION

PA may improve QoL and self-reported function in RA, SpA, and PsA. However, larger trials are needed, especially in SpA and PsA.

Suitability for e-health of non-pharmacological interventions in connective tissue diseases: scoping review with a descriptive analysis

Objective

Non-pharmacological interventions support patients with connective tissue diseases to better cope with and self-manage their diseases. This study aimed to map existing evidence on non-pharmacological interventions in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), systemic sclerosis (SSc) and mixed connective tissue diseases regarding content, feasibility and potential suitability in an e-health setting.

Methods

A literature search was performed in eight different databases in July 2020. The intervention’s content was extracted using the ‘Better reporting of interventions: template for intervention description and replication (TIDieR) checklist and guide’. A Sankey diagram and descriptive statistics were used to analyse the data and illustrate the relationships between the interventions.

Results

Of 8198 identified records, 119 papers were eligible. One hundred and four of them (87.4%) were conducted between 2000 and 2020, mainly in the USA (SLE n=24 (21.2%), SSc n=16 (14.2%)), Brazil (SLE n=8 (7.1%), SSc n=5 (4.4%)) and Italy (SLE n=0 (0%), SSc n=12 (10.6%)). Fifty-two studies (SLE n=24 (21.2%), SSc n=28 (24.8%)) used multicomponent interventions. The single interventions were physical exercises (SLE n=16 (14.2%), SSc n=17 (15.0%)), coaching/counselling (SLE n=11 (18.0%), SSc n=0 (0%)) and education (SLE n=2 (1.8%), SSc n=3 (2.7%)). Primary outcomes focused on physical function (SLE n=1 (0.9%), SSc n=15 (13.3%)), mouth opening in SSc (n=4 (5.9%)) and physical capacity (SLE n=2 (1.8%), SSc n=1 (0.9%)). No interventions for mixed connective tissue disease were found.

Conclusion

There was a great variety in the intervention’s content due to differences in body structure, activity limitations and participation restrictions in SLE and SSc. These results highlight the need for personalised, multicomponent, non-pharmacological interventions, which could be delivered as e-health interventions.

Validity and reliability of the Swedish version of the Self-Efficacy for Managing Chronic Disease scale for individuals with systemic sclerosis

ObjectiveTo investigate aspects of validity and reliability of the Swedish version of the Self-Efficacy for Managing Chronic Disease (SEMCD-Swe) scale in systemic sclerosis (SSc).Method: A forward-backward translation procedure was used. Content validity was assessed through interviews with 11 people with SSc and 10 healthcare professionals. Construct validity, internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and floor and ceiling effects were evaluated in 104 SSc patients.Results: The content validity of the SEMCD-Swe was interpreted as satisfactory, but some adjustments were made to increase the understanding. Confirmatory factor analysis supported a single-factor structure. Moderate to strong correlations between the SEMCD-Swe and Scleroderma Health Assessment Questionnaire; Multidimensional Assessment of Fatigue; Patient Health Questionnaire-8 (r_s = -0.4 to -0.7), and RAND-36 subscales (r_s = 0.5 to 0.7) were found. Weak correlations were found between SEMCD-Swe and modified Rodnan skin score; and disease severity of peripheral vascular and lung (r_s = -0.1 to -0.2) and kidney (r_s = 0.1) systems (Medsger severity scale). Cronbach's alpha was sufficient (0.85) and corrected item-to-total correlations were good (≥ 0.50). The intraclass correlation coefficient for the total score was sufficient (0.82). No floor or ceiling effects were found.Conclusion: Support for construct validity was indicated, as the SEMCD-Swe in SSc show a single-factor structure and is more strongly associated with pain, fatigue, depressive symptoms, interferences with daily activities, disability, and quality of life than with disease severity. Our results also indicate support for content validity and reliability. However, the responsiveness of the SEMCD-Swe needs to be tested.

"How does physical examination findings influence physiotherapists' decision-making when matching treatment to patients with low back pain?"

BACKGROUND

Further clinical data how low-back pain (LBP) symptoms and signs manifests in physiotherapy clinical reasoning and treatment decision-making is needed.

OBJECTIVE

The aim was to explore and describe how symptoms and signs portrayed in three case descriptions of LBP influences physiotherapy treatment decision-making.

DESIGN

This was an exploratory interview study using inductive content analysis.

METHOD

Fifteen semi-structured individual interviews were used to collect data of physiotherapists' treatment decision-making regrading three diverse LBP case descriptions. The participants were men, women, experienced and novice, working in primary healthcare settings in one sparsely populated region and in one larger city in Sweden.

FINDINGS

Two overarching themes were identified influencing decision-making for the treatment of LBP:1) Explicit assessment features distinguish treatment approaches; with categories describing how symptoms and signs were used to target treatment (nature of pain induce reflections on plausible cause; narrative details trigger attention and establishes knowledge-enhancing foci; pain-movement-relationship is essential; diverse emphasis of pain modulation and targeted treatment approaches): and 2) Preconceived notion of treatment, with categories describing personal treatment rationales, unrelated to the presented symptoms and signs (passive treatment avoidance and motor control exercise ambiguity).

CONCLUSION

This study identifies how assessment details lead to decisions on diverse treatment approaches for LBP, but also that treatment decisions can be based on preconceived beliefs unrelated to the clinical presentation. The results underpin the mix of knowledge sources that clinicians need to balance and the necessity of self-awareness of preconceptions for informed and meaningful clinical decision-making.

Effects of non-pharmacological and non-surgical interventions on health outcomes in systemic sclerosis: protocol for a living systematic review

INTRODUCTION

Systemic sclerosis (SSc; scleroderma) is a rare, chronic, autoimmune disease with a high level of burden, a significant impact on the ability to carry out daily activities, and a considerable negative impact on health-related quality of life. Non-pharmacological interventions could be provided to potentially improve mental and physical health outcomes. However, the effectiveness of non-pharmacological interventions on health and well-being among individuals with SSc has not been well established. The proposed living systematic review aims to identify and evaluate randomised controlled trial (RCT) evidence on the effectiveness of non-pharmacological and non-surgical interventions on mental and physical health outcomes and on the delivery of such services in SSc.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

Eligible studies will be RCTs that examine non-pharmacological and non-surgical interventions aimed at improving health outcomes among individuals with SSc or the delivery of services intended to improve healthcare or support of people with SSc (eg, support groups). All RCTs included in a previous systematic review that sought studies published between 1990 and March 2014 will be evaluated for inclusion. Additional trials will be sought from January 2014 onwards using a similar, augmented search strategy developed by a health sciences librarian. We will search the MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Cochrane Library and Web of Science databases and will not restrict by language. Two independent reviewers will determine the eligibility of identified RCTs and will extract data using a prespecified standardised form in DistillerSR. Meta-analyses will be considered if ≥2 eligible RCTs report similar non-pharmacological interventions and comparable health outcomes. We will conduct a qualitative synthesis for interventions that cannot be synthesised via meta-analysis.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

We will post initial and ongoing results via a website, publish results periodically via peer-reviewed journal publication, and present results at patient-oriented events.

PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER

CRD42020219914.

Experiences and Factors Affecting Usage of an eHealth Tool for Self-Management Among People With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: Qualitative Study

Background

Self-management strategies are regarded as highly prioritized in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) treatment guidelines. However, individual and structural barriers lead to a staggering amount of people with COPD that are not offered support for such strategies, and new approaches are urgently needed to circumvent these barriers. A promising way of delivering health services such as support for self-management strategies is the use of eHealth tools. However, there is a lack of knowledge about the usage of, and factors affecting the use of, eHealth tools over time in people with COPD.

Objective

This study aimed, among people with COPD, to explore and describe the experiences of an eHealth tool over time and factors that might affect usage.

Methods

The eHealth tool included information on evidence-based self-management treatment for people with COPD, including texts, pictures, videos as well as interactive components such as a step registration function with automatized feedback. In addition to the latter, automated notifications of new content and pedometers were used as triggers to increase usage. After having access to the tool for 3 months, 16 individuals (12 women) with COPD were individually interviewed. At 12 months’ access to the tool, 7 (5 women) of the previous 16 individuals accepted a second individual interview. Data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. User frequency was considered in the analysis, and participants were divided into users and nonusers/seldom users depending on the number of logins and minutes of usage per month.

Results

Three main categories, namely, ambiguous impact, basic conditions for usage, and approaching capability emerged from the analysis, which, together with their subcategories, reflect the participants’ experiences of using the eHealth tool. Nonusers/seldom users (median 1.5 logins and 1.78 minutes spent on the site per month) reported low motivation, a higher need for technical support, a negative view about the disease and self-management, and had problematic health literacy as measured by the Communicative and Critical Health Literacy Scale (median [range] 154 [5-2102]). Users (median 10 logins and 43 minutes per month) felt comfortable with information technology (IT) tools, had a positive view on triggers, and had sufficient health literacy (median [range] 5 [5-1400]). Benefits including behavior changes were mainly expressed after 12 months had passed and mainly among users.

Conclusions

Findings of this study indicate that the level of motivation, comfortability with IT tools, and the level of health literacy seem to affect usage of an eHealth tool over time. Besides, regarding behavioral changes, gaining benefits from the eHealth tool seems reserved for the users and specifically after 12 months, thus suggesting that eHealth tools can be suitable media for supporting COPD-specific self-management skills, although not for everyone or at all times. These novel findings are of importance when designing new eHealth tools as well as when deciding on whether or not an eHealth tool might be appropriate to use if the goal is to support self-management among people with COPD.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02696187; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02696187

International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)

RR2-10.1136/bmjopen-2017-016851

Position Statement on Exercise Dosage in Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Diseases: The Fole of the IMPACT-RMD Toolkit

There is convincing evidence to suggest that exercise interventions can significantly improve disease-related outcomes as well as comorbidities in rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs). All exercise interventions should be appropriately defined by their dose, which comprises of two components: a) the FITT (frequency, intensity, time and type) and b) the training (ie, specificity, overload, progression, initial values, reversibility, and diminishing returns) principles. In the published RMD literature, exercise dosage is often misreported, which in “pharmaceutical treatment terms”, this would be the equivalent of receiving the wrong medication dosage. Lack of appropriately reporting exercise dosage in RMDs, therefore, results in limited clarity on the effects of exercise interventions on different outcomes while it also hinders reproducibility, generalisability and accuracy of research findings. Based on the collective but limited current knowledge, the main purpose of the present Position Statement is to provide specific guidance for RMD researchers to help improve the reporting of exercise dosage and help advance research into this important field of investigation. We also propose the use of the IMPACT-RMD toolkit, a tool that can be used in the design and reporting phase of every trial.

Factors associated with self-reported capacity to walk, jog and run in individuals with systemic lupus erythematosus

Objectives

This study aims to explore how disease and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) factors are associated with self-reported physical capacity in walking, jogging and running in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Patients and methods

This cross-sectional study is part of an ongoing cohort research project which started in 2014. A total of 198 patients (21 males, 177 females; mean age 51.5±16.1 years; range, 20 to 82 years) with SLE answered a question concerning physical capacity and the answers were categorized as low (can walk less than 2 km) and high (can jog and run at least 2 km) capacity. Additional measurements of disease activity (Systemic Lupus Activity Measure-Revised, SLAM-R), organ damage (Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics-Damage Index, SLICC-DI), physical activity (International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form, IPAQ-SF), exercise during the past year, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and HRQOL according to EuroQol five-dimension score and EuroQol visual analog scale (EQ-VAS) were included. The independent variables in the multiple logistic regression analysis were age, body mass index (BMI), disease duration, SLAM-R, SLICC-DI, IPAQ-SF category, sitting hours (IPAQ-SF), and exercise during the past year as well as HADS and EQ-VAS.

Results

Patients that reported low physical capacity (n=120) were older (p<0.001), had longer disease duration (p<0.001), had more organ damage (p<0.001), reported that they were less physically active (p=0.003), exercised less during the past year (p=0.001), reported more pain/discomfort and depressive symptom (p<0.001) and had lower overall HRQOL (p<0.001) and mobility and usual activities than those that reported high capacity (n=78). The regression analysis showed that age (median ≤49 vs >49) (Exp) (B): 4.52 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.05 to 9.98) (p<0.001), disease duration (median ≤17 vs >17) Exp (B): 2.53 (95% CI: 1.15 to 5.60) (p=0.02), SLICC-DI (median <1 vs ≥1) Exp (B): 3.60 (95% CI: 1.48 to 8.73) (p=0.005), and EQ-VAS (median <72 vs ≥72) Exp (B): 4.63 (95% CI: 2.13 to 10.05) (p<0.001) were significant factors associated with physical capacity (Nagelkerke R Squared=0.46).

Conclusion

Patients with low physical capacity were less physically active, exercised less and had more pain and depressive symptoms than those that reported a high capacity. However, only age, disease duration, organ damage and overall HRQOL were indicators of low physical capacity. In order to increase physical capacity in the management of SLE, it is important to address overall HRQOL.

Validity and reliability of the Patient Health Questionnaire-8 in Swedish for individuals with systemic sclerosis

Background

Depressive symptoms are common in rheumatic diseases and influence patients’ quality of life. The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), which assesses symptoms of depression, is valid in English in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). However, the measurement properties of the PHQ-8 (short version of the PHQ-9) have not been evaluated in Swedish patients with SSc.

Objective

To investigate different aspects of validity and reliability of the PHQ-8 in Swedish (PHQ-8 Swe) for individuals with SSc.

Methods

A total of 101 patients with SSc participated. Content validity was evaluated via interviews of 11 patients and 10 health professionals. Construct validity, internal consistency test–retest reliability, and floor/ceiling effects were evaluated in 90 patients.

Results

Content validity was satisfactory, but some linguistic adjustments were made. Confirmatory factor analysis supported a better fit for a two-factor structure. Moderate-to-strong correlations were found between the PHQ-8 Swe and scleroderma HAQ including VAS (r_s = 0.4–0.7); Multidimensional Assessment of Fatigue (r_s = 0.7); RAND-36 subscales (r_s = − 0.5 to − 0.8); and lung disease severity (Medsger scores) (r_s = 0.4). There were weak correlations (r_s = <0.4) between the PHQ-8 Swe and modified Rodnan skin score; and vascular, heart, and kidney disease severity. Cronbach’s alpha was 0.85, corrected item-to-total correlations were >0.40, and the ICC for the total score was 0.83. No floor/ceiling effects were found.

Conclusion

The PHQ-8 Swe has satisfactory content validity and sufficient reliability in patients with in majority limited SSc. It is more strongly associated with self-reported disability, pain, disease interferences with daily activities, fatigue, and quality of life than with disease severity, except for a moderate association with lung severity.

Experiences of physical activity and exercise in individuals with systemic sclerosis: A qualitative study

INTRODUCTION

Exercise is emerging as an important part of the treatment in systemic sclerosis-patients with no-mild lung involvement. However, it has not been studied how patients experience physical activity and exercises. We thus explored and described experiences of physical activity/exercises in systemic sclerosis-individuals.

METHOD

Sixteen systemic sclerosis-patients were purposefully recruited to represent variation in gender, age, and lung disease. Semi-structured individual interviews were performed, transcribed and analyzed with qualitative content analysis.

RESULTS

Three themes (categories) emerged: 1) Essential for life and health (An effective treatment, Reduces fear of deterioration, and Feeling healthy and satisfied with oneself); 2) Disease-related hinders and other barriers (Disease consequences, Risk of worsening, and Non-disease related barriers); and 3) Self-care and/or support (Self-confidence in physical activity/exercise, and, Education and support from healthcare and other).

CONCLUSIONS

Physical activity/exercises were experienced as essential for life and health and as an effective treatment. It reduced fear of deterioration and made the participants feel healthy and satisfied with oneself. However, participants also experienced disease-related barriers like shortness of breath and pain, and they expressed a risk of worsening. Participants felt confidence in their physical activity/exercises and expressed that education and support from healthcare could be facilitating. Our findings add new knowledge about how systemic sclerosis-patients perceive physical activity/exercise and can contribute to the development of patient education and PA/exercise programs.

OP0101-HPR QUALITY OF LIFE IN PEOPLE WITH SYSTEMIC SCLEROSIS WITH DIFFERENT DEGREES OF LUNG DISEASE - A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Background:

There are few studies evaluating different aspects of quality of life including depressive symptoms and physical capacity and physical activity in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) with different degrees of lung disease.

Objectives:

The aim of this study was to evaluate differences in self-reported disability, physical capacity and activity, depressive symptoms and quality of life, between patients with SSc with no-mild lung disease and those with moderate-endstage lung disease.

Methods:

In this cross-sectional study, 279 patients with SSc fulfilling the 2013 ACR/EULAR criteria for SSc (84% limited and 16% diffuse SSc) were included. Medsger disease severity scale was used to subgroup the patients into no-mild (n=156) or moderate- endstage lung disease (n=115). Disability was measured with Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disability Index (HAQ-DI); physical capacity (ability to walk, jog/run); and physical activity (different intensities) was measured with three single questions; depressive symptoms with Hospital Anxiety and Depression-scale (HADs); and quality of life was measured with TheShort Form(36) Health Survey (SF-36).

Results:

Patients with moderate-endstage lung disease reported higher scores on HAQ-DI (p<0.001) and lower scores on SF-36 physical component (p<0.0001) than patients with no-mild lung disease. Patients with moderate-endstage lung disease reported lower physical capacity (p<0.0001), less physical activity on low to moderate intensity the past 6 months (p<0.016) and less exercise on moderate to high intensity the past year (p=0.022) compared to those with no-mild lung disease. There was no difference between the two subgroups when it comes to the mental component in SF-36 (p=0.2), however patients with moderate-endstage lung disease had lower scores on the subscales vitality ((p=0.003), social function (p=0.002) and emotional role function (p=0.005) as well as higher scores on the HADs depressive symptoms scale (p=0.024), than the patients with no-mild lung disease.

Conclusion:

Patients with SSc with moderate-endstage lung disease report more disability, lower physical capacity and activity, are more depressed and the physical aspects of quality of life is lower, as well as vitality, social function and emotional role function, compared to patients with no-mild lung disease. Studies evaluating whether increased physical activity and exercise may improve depressive symptoms and aspects of quality of life in patients with moderate-endstage lung disease are needed.

References:

[1]Liem SIE, Meessen JMTA, Wolterbeek R, Ajmone Marsan N, Ninaber MK, Vliet Vlieland TPM, de Vries-Bouwstra JK. Physical activity in patients with systemic sclerosis. Rheumatol Int. 2018;38:443-453

[2]March C, Huscher D, Preis E, Makowka A, Hoeppner J, Buttgereit F, Riemekasten G, Norman K, Siegert E. Prevalence, Risk Factors and Assessment of Depressive Symptoms in Patients With Systemic Sclerosis. Arch Rheumatol. 2019;28;34:253-261

Acknowledgments:

Thanks to the patients involved in the study, patient research partner Monica Holmnér and the staff at the rheumatological clinic, Karolinska University Hospital

Disclosure of Interests:

None declared

Implementation of Physical Activity into routine Clinical pracTice in Rheumatic Musculoskeletal Disease: The IMPACT-RMD study protocol and rationale

Background:

Physical activity is an important intervention for improving disease-related symptoms and systemic manifestations in rheumatic and musculoskeletal disease (RMDs). However, studies suggest that RMD patients report that the lack of individualized and consistent information about physical activity from managing doctors and healthcare professionals, acts as a barrier for engagement. On the other hand, managing doctors and healthcare professionals report lack of knowledge in this area and thus lack of confidence to educate and advise RMD patients about the beneficial effects of physical activity. The aim of the present study therefore, is to develop two e-Learning courses for RMD doctors and health professionals: a) the first one to provide consistent information about the collective benefits of physical activity in RMDs and b) the second on how to implement physical activity advice in routine clinical practice.

Methods:

An international collaboration of seven countries, consisting of one academic institution and one patient organization from each country, will co-develop the two e-Learning courses. The final e-Learning courses will primarily target to improve – through physical activity advice – RMD symptoms which are important for patients.

Discussion:

The main result of this study will be to co-develop two e-Learning courses that can be used by managing RMD doctors and healthcare professionals to be made aware of the overall benefits of physical activity in RMDs as well as how to implement physical activity advise within their practice.

2018 update of the EULAR recommendations for the role of the nurse in the management of chronic inflammatory arthritis

To update the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) recommendations for the role of the nurse in the management of chronic inflammatory arthritis (CIA) using the most up to date evidence. The EULAR standardised operating procedures were followed. A task force of rheumatologists, health professionals and patients, representing 17 European countries updated the recommendations, based on a systematic literature review and expert consensus. Higher level of evidence and new insights into nursing care for patients with CIA were added to the recommendation. Level of agreement was obtained by email voting. The search identified 2609 records, of which 51 (41 papers, 10 abstracts), mostly on rheumatoid arthritis, were included. Based on consensus, the task force formulated three overarching principles and eight recommendations. One recommendation remained unchanged, six were reworded, two were merged and one was reformulated as an overarching principle. Two additional overarching principles were formulated. The overarching principles emphasise the nurse’s role as part of a healthcare team, describe the importance of providing evidence-based care and endorse shared decision-making in the nursing consultation with the patient. The recommendations cover the contribution of rheumatology nursing in needs-based patient education, satisfaction with care, timely access to care, disease management, efficiency of care, psychosocial support and the promotion of self-management. The level of agreement among task force members was high (mean 9.7, range 9.6-10.0). The updated recommendations encompass three overarching principles and eight evidence-based and expert opinion-based recommendations for the role of the nurse in the management of CIA.

I do not want to suppress the natural process of inflammation: new insights on factors associated with non-adherence in rheumatoid arthritis

BACKGROUND

It is estimated that 50-70% of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are non-adherent to their recommended treatment. Non-adherent patients have a higher risk of not reaching an optimal clinical outcome. We explored factors associated with nonadherence from the patient's perspective.

METHODS

Four hundred and fifty-nine RA patients (346 (75.4%) females; mean age 63.0 ± 14.8 years) who failed to attend follow-up visits in two rheumatology centres were eligible to participate in a qualitative interview study. We used this strategy to identify patients who were potentially non-adherent to medicines and/or non-pharmacological interventions. By means of meaning condensation analysis, we identified new and some already well known insights to factors associated with non-adherence. We used the capability, opportunity, and motivation model of behaviour (COM-B) model as a frame of reference to classify the factors.

RESULTS

Forty-three of 131 patients (32.8%) who agreed to participate in the qualitative interviews were found to be non-adherent. New insights on factors associated with non-adherence included strong opinions of patients, such as pain being considered as an indicator of hard work and something to be proud of, or inflammation being a natural process that should not be suppressed; feeling not to be in expert's hands when being treated by a physician/health professional; the experience of excessive self-control over the treatment; and rheumatologists addressing only drugs and omitting non-pharmacological aspects. The COM-B model comprehensively covered the range of our findings.

CONCLUSIONS

The new insights on factors associated with non-adherence allow a better understanding of this phenomenon and can substantially enhance patient care by helping to develop targeted interventions.

Aerobic and resistance exercise in systemic sclerosis: State of the art

INTRODUCTION

Patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) experience reduced exercise capacity and muscle strength compared with healthy subjects. There are also indications of reduced levels of physical activity.

OBJECTIVE

To present the current knowledge of physical exercise in SSc.

RESULTS

Most studies presently available [three case studies, one single subject experimental design, one study comparing patients with healthy controls, one quasi experimental design (pre-post), two clinical trials and two random controlled trials] have included small samples of patients, mostly composed of patients with and without pulmonary involvement. It seems that patients with SSc without pulmonary involvement are able to perform and benefit from aerobic exercises of at least moderate intensity. Exercise tolerance, aerobic capacity, walking distance, muscle strength and muscle function as well as health-related quality of life (HRQL) have been found to be improved after participation in programmes including aerobic exercise and aerobic exercise combined with resistance exercises. Improvements seem to be only partially retained at follow up. Patients with pulmonary involvement may also experience improved muscle strength, physical and aerobic capacity, as well as HRQL following exercise.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with SSc without pulmonary involvement can be recommended to be as physically active as the general population. Patients with mild pulmonary involvement can be recommended to be physically active by engaging in exercises of moderate intensity and to participate in moderate-load resistance exercises. Health professionals should inform patients with SSc about the importance of physical activity and avoidance of a sedentary lifestyle.

Effects of a one-year physical activity programme for women with systemic lupus erythematosus - a randomized controlled study

OBJECTIVES

To study the effects of a one-year physical activity programme on aerobic capacity, physical activity and health-related quality of life (HRQL) in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) by a randomized control design.

METHODS

Thirty-five women with low or moderate disease activity and organ damage were randomized to intervention (I) or control (C) group. The intervention during months 0-3 consisted of education, supervised aerobic exercise at high intensity and individual coaching, as well as self-managed physical activity at low-to-moderate intensity. During months 4-12, the physical activity was self-managed and the coaching was successively reduced over time. Outcome measures included: maximal oxygen uptake (VO2 max) from a bicycle ergometer test, self-reported physical activity and HRQL (SF-36).

RESULTS

VO2 at sub-max. and max. increased, independent of group, during the one-year study period (main effect of time p < 0.0001). VO2 max. increased between baseline and month 3 (p < 0.0001), between months 3 and 6 (p = 0.01) and the increase was sustained at month 12 (ns). Frequency of physical activity at high intensity also increased, independent of group, during the study period. It was increased at months 3, 6 and 12 compared to baseline (p = 0.02, p < 0.001, p = 0.03). Improvement in mental health between baseline and month 6 (p = 0.002) was seen for the I-group, not the C-group (p = 0.03). Disease activity and organ damage did not change.

CONCLUSIONS

Physical activity and aerobic capacity increased after supervised exercise and coaching, and the improvement was sustained during the one-year programme. However, no interactions between the group differences were seen, which suggests that repeated measurements could motivate to increased physical activity and thereby to increased aerobic capacity. As sub-max. VO2 increased over time, training-induced changes in VO2 on-kinetics could be another explanation. Little influence on HRQL was seen after the programme. The study indicates that physical activity at high intensity over one year is tolerated by patients with mild to moderate SLE.

Ratings of pain and activity limitation on the visual analogue scale and global impression of change in multimodal rehabilitation of back pain - analyses at group and individual level

PURPOSE

To evaluate changes in pain intensity and activity limitation, at group and individual levels, and their associations with the global impression of change after multimodal rehabilitation in patients with back pain.

METHOD

Patients with long-term back pain (n = 282) participated in a 4-week programme with a follow-up after 6 months. Visual analogue scales (VAS) were used to rate pain intensity and activity limitation. Global impression of change (GIC) was rated on a 7-category scale. The sign test, the Svensson method and the Spearman rank correlation were used for analyses.

RESULTS

Significantly lower ratings in pain and activity limitation at follow-up were found at group level. However, a large individual variability was found by the Svensson method. The correlations between GIC and changes in pain and activity limitation were rs  =  0.49 and rs  =  0.50, respectively. A rated GIC of at least "much better" on group level showed changes of  ≥20 mm on the VAS.

CONCLUSIONS

At group level, lower VAS ratings were found in patients with back pain. However, a large individual variability in pain and activity limitation was also found resulting in low to moderate associations between GIC and the change in VAS ratings. The large individual variability might be due to the impreciseness in the ratings on the VAS. We have presented a critical discussion of statistical methods in connection with the VAS. Implications for Rehabilitation The use of VAS as a rating instrument may be questioned, especially for perceived pain intensity which is a too complex experience to be rated on a line without any visible categories. Single ratings of pain intensity should preferably be complemented with the ratings of activity limitation in patients with long-term back pain. Global impression of change is a suggested inclusive rating after rehabilitation. The improvement desired by the patient should preferably be determined before rehabilitation.

Effectiveness of Nonpharmacologic Interventions in Systemic Sclerosis: A Systematic Review

OBJECTIVE

To systematically and comprehensively document the effectiveness of nonpharmacologic interventions on physical functioning and psychological well-being in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc).

METHODS

Multiple electronic databases were searched for studies on the effectiveness of nonpharmacologic interventions in SSc. Randomized clinical trials (RCTs), controlled clinical trials (CCTs), and observational designs (ODs) with ≥10 participants were included. Two reviewers independently assessed methodologic quality using the Downs and Black checklist.

RESULTS

Twenty-three studies (9 RCTs, 4 CCTs, and 10 ODs) were included. Studies assessing comparable interventions were grouped, resulting in data for 16 different interventions. The total number of patients included per study ranged from 10 to 53. Seventeen different outcome domains were assessed, with hand function, limitations in activities, and quality of life being assessed most frequently. Three studies, all RCTs, were rated as high quality. These RCTs reported that 1) a multifaceted oral health intervention improves mouth hygiene, and additional orofacial exercises did not improve mouth opening, 2) a multidisciplinary team-care program improves limitations in activities, mouth opening, and hand grip strength, and 3) manual lymph drainage improves hand function, limitations in activities, and quality of life.

CONCLUSION

The body of knowledge regarding nonpharmacologic care in SSc is very limited due to the wide variety in studied interventions and outcomes in the relatively uncommon but highly disabling disease. To structure and focus future research, an international consensus should be established to prioritize primary targets for nonpharmacologic treatment and the content of interventions and to agree on a core set of outcome measures.

Personal factors in systemic sclerosis and their coverage by patient-reported outcome measures. A multicentre European qualitative study and literature review

BACKGROUND

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is an autoimmune disease where thickening of the skin can lead to reduced body function and limitations in activities. Severe forms can also affect and seriously damage inner organs. Patient-centred rehabilitation emphasises considerations of patients' background, experience and behavior which highlights the need to know if patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) include such personal factors.

AIM

To identify and describe personal factors in the experiences of functioning and health of persons with SSc and to examine if and to what extent PROMs in SSc research cover these factors.

DESIGN

Data from a qualitative study with focus group interviews were analysed. PROMs in SSc research were identified in a literature review between 2008-2013.

SETTING

Participants were recruited from outpatient clinics at rheumatology department.

POPULATION

Sixty-three patients with SSc from four European countries participated.

METHODS

Data from interviews were analysed using a structure of personal factors developed by Geyh et al. Identified PROMs were analysed and linked to main concepts, related to the personal factors, found in the interview data.

RESULTS

Nineteen main concepts were related to the area "patterns of experience and behaviour" in the personal factor structure, 16 to "thoughts and beliefs", nine to "feelings", one to "motives" and one to "personal history and biography", respectively. Among the 35 PROMs identified, 15 did not cover any of the identified concepts. Concepts within the area "feelings" were mostly covered by the PROMs. Five of the PROMs covered "patterns of experience and behaviour", while "motives" and "personal history and biography" were not covered at all. Four of the identified PROMs covered concepts within the areas "feelings", "thoughts and beliefs" and "patterns of experience and behaviour" in the same instrument. The Illness Cognition Questionnaire and Illness Behaviour Questionnaire were such PROMs.

CONCLUSION

Patterns of experience and behaviour had the highest number of concepts related to personal factors, but few of the PROMs in SSc research covered these factors. Only a few PROMs covered several personal factors areas in the same instrument.

CLINICAL REHABILITATION IMPACT

The results would be of value when developing core sets for outcome measurements in SSc.

Content of non-pharmacological care for systemic sclerosis and educational needs of European health professionals: a EUSHNet survey

OBJECTIVES

To describe the non-pharmacological care in systemic sclerosis (SSc) provided by European health professionals (HPs) including referrals, treatment targets, interventions, and educational needs.

METHODS

In this observational study, European HPs working in SSc care were invited to complete an online survey through announcements by EUSTAR (European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) Scleroderma Trials and Research) and FESCA (Federation of European Scleroderma Associations), the EULAR HPs' newsletter, websites of national patient and HP associations, and by personal invitation.

RESULTS

In total, 56 HPs, from 14 different European countries and 7 different disciplines, responded to the survey. A total of 133 specific indications for referral were reported, 72% of which could be linked to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health domain "body functions and structures". Of the 681 reported treatment targets 45% was related to "body functions and structures". In total, 105 different interventions were reported as being used to address these treatment targets. Almost all (98%) respondents reported having educational needs, with the topics of management of stiffness (67%), pain (60%), and impaired hand function (56%) being mentioned most frequently.

CONCLUSIONS

Non-pharmacological care in SSc varies in Europe with respect to the content of interventions, reasons for referral, and treatment targets. Reasons for referral to HPs are not well-aligned to HPs subsequent treatment targets in SSc care suggesting suboptimal communication between physicians and HPs. The wide variations reported indicate a need to consolidate geographically disparate expertise within countries and to develop and improve standards of non-pharmacological care in SSc.

EULAR recommendations for patient education for people with inflammatory arthritis

Objectives

The task force aimed to: (1) develop evidence-based recommendations for patient education (PE) for people with inflammatory arthritis, (2) identify the need for further research on PE and (3) determine health professionals’ educational needs in order to provide evidence-based PE.

Methods

A multidisciplinary task force, representing 10 European countries, formulated a definition for PE and 10 research questions that guided a systematic literature review (SLR). The results from the SLR were discussed and used as a basis for developing the recommendations, a research agenda and an educational agenda. The recommendations were categorised according to level and strength of evidence graded from A (highest) to D (lowest). Task force members rated their agreement with each recommendation from 0 (total disagreement) to 10 (total agreement).

Results

Based on the SLR and expert opinions, eight recommendations were developed, four with strength A evidence. The recommendations addressed when and by whom PE should be offered, modes and methods of delivery, theoretical framework, outcomes and evaluation. A high level of agreement was achieved for all recommendations (mean range 9.4–9.8). The task force proposed a research agenda and an educational agenda.

Conclusions

The eight evidence-based and expert opinion-based recommendations for PE for people with inflammatory arthritis are intended to provide a core framework for the delivery of PE and training for health professionals in delivering PE across Europe.

Do patient-reported outcome measures cover personal factors important to people with rheumatoid arthritis? A mixed methods design using the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health as frame of reference

Background

Personal factors (PFs) are internal factors that determine functioning and the individuals’ experience of disability. Their coverage by patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) has not been examined in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) so far. The aims of this study were to identify PFs important in the life stories of people with RA and to determine their coverage by PROMs used in RA.

Methods

The qualitative data of people with RA was explored to identify PFs. Additionally a systematic literature search was conducted to find PROMs used in RA. PROMs items were linked to the components, domains and categories of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) to determine the coverage of important PFs by PROMs.

Results

Twelve PFs were found to be important in the life stories of people with RA. The PFs coping and reflecting about one’s life in an optimistic way were covered most frequently, each by 14 of the 42 explored PROMs, while job satisfaction was not covered at all. The London Coping with Rheumatoid Arthritis Questionnaire, General Self-Efficacy Scale, Arthritis Self-Efficacy Scale, Rheumatoid Arthritis Self-Efficacy Questionnaire and Revised Ways of Coping Inventory covered most PFs. Nineteen PROMs did not cover any of the PFs.

Conclusion

Several PFs were identified as important in the life stories of people with RA, but only 55% of the PROMS covered some of these PFs. When evaluating PFs important to people with RA, health professionals should be alert on which PROMs can be used to assess which PFs.

Lifestyle habits and fatigue among people with systemic lupus erythematosus and matched population controls

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this paper is to identify clusters of fatigue in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and matched controls, and to analyze these clusters with respect to lifestyle habits, health-related quality of life (HRQoL), anxiety and depression.

METHODS

Patients with SLE (n = 305) and age- and gender-matched population controls (n = 311) were included. Three measurements of fatigue (Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), Vitality (VT, from SF-36) and Multidimensional Assessment of Fatigue scale (MAF) and hierarchic cluster analysis were used to define clusters with different degrees of fatigue. Lifestyle habits were investigated through questionnaires. HRQoL was assessed with the SF-36 and anxiety/depression with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale.

RESULTS

Three clusters, denominated "High," "Intermediate" and "Low" fatigue clusters, were identified. The "High" contained 80% patients, and 20% controls (median; VT 25, FSS 5.8, MAF 37.4). These had the most symptoms of depression (51%) and anxiety (34%), lowest HRQoL (p < 0.001) and they exercised least frequently. The "Intermediate" (48% patients and 52% controls) (median; VT 55, FSS 4.1, MAF 23.5) had similarities with the "Low" regarding sleep/rest whereas social status and smoking were closer to the "High." The"Low" contained 22% patients and 78% controls (median; VT 80, FSS 2.3, MAF 10.9). They had the highest perceived HRQoL (p < 0.001), least symptoms of anxiety (10%), no depression, smoked least (13%) and reported the highest percentage (24%) of exercising ≥ 3 times/week.

CONCLUSION

Fatigue is common, but not a general feature of SLE. It is associated with depression, anxiety, low HRQoL and less physical exercise. Patients with SLE and population controls with a healthy lifestyle reported lower levels of fatigue. Whether lifestyle changes can reduce fatigue, which is a major problem for a majority of SLE patients, needs to be further explored.

Self-reported physical activity and risk markers for cardiovascular disease after spinal cord injury

OBJECTIVE

To examine whether self-reported physical activity of a moderate/vigorous intensity influences risk markers for cardiovascular disease in persons with paraplegia due to spinal cord injury.

DESIGN

Descriptive, cross-sectional study.

SUBJECTS

A total of 134 wheelchair-dependent individuals (103 men, 31 women) with chronic (≥ 1 year) post-traumatic spinal cord injury with paraplegia.

METHODS

Cardiovascular disease markers (hypertension, blood glucose and a blood lipid panel) were analysed and related to physical activity.

RESULTS

One out of 5 persons reported undertaking physical activity ≥  30 min/day. Persons who were physically active ≥ 30 min/day were significantly younger than inactive persons. Systolic and diastolic blood pressures were lower in the physically active group. When adjusting for age, the association between systolic blood pressure and physical activity disappeared. Physical activity ≥ 30 min/day had a tendency to positively influence body mass index and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio. Men had significantly higher systolic and diastolic blood pressures than women, lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, higher low-density lipoprotein cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio and higher triglycerides. No other significant differences between men and women were found.

CONCLUSION

Self-reported physical activity ≥ 30 min/day in persons with spinal cord injury positively influenced diastolic blood pressure. No other reductions in cardiovascular disease risk markers were seen after controlling for age. These results indicate a positive effect of physical activity, but it cannot be concluded that recommendations about physical activity in cardiovascular disease prevention for the general population apply to wheelchair-dependent persons with spinal cord injury.