Hand functions in systemic sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis and influence on clinical variables

Validity and reliability of the Duruöz Hand Index in patients with psoriatic arthritis

OBJECTIVE

The Duruöz Hand Index (DHI) is a valuable scale developed for evaluating hand functions of patients with rheumatoid arthritis and subsequently proven to be valid and reliable in various diseases. This study aims to investigate the validity and reliability of the DHI in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA).

METHODS

Patients diagnosed with PsA according to CASPAR criteria were enrolled. The demographic, clinical, and functional characteristics of patients were evaluated. Functional assessment was performed with DHI, Hand Functional Index, Health Assessment Questionnaire, and VAS-disability scale. C-reactive protein level, patients' and physicians' global VAS, swelling and tenderness of the hand joints, gross grip strength and thumb strength, and disease activity assessments were recorded as non-functional parameters related to active disease status. Reliability was assessed by internal consistency (with Cronbach's-a) and test-retest intraclass correlation coefficient. Face, content, convergent, and divergent validities were applied.

RESULTS

One hundred and forty-four patients (74.3% female) were included in this study. The Cronbach's alpha coefficient was 0.963, and for the test-retest reliability of the DHI, the intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.904 (p < 0.001). DHI showed good correlations with the functional disability scales (Hand Functional Index, Health Assessment Questionnaire, VAS-disability), indicating its convergent validity and moderate to non-significant correlations with the non-functional parameters supporting its divergent validity.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite the occurrence of significant deformities and functional loss in PsA patients, there is a noticeable absence of specific tools tailored for PsA. Considering the intricacies associated with skin, nail, tendon, entheseal involvement, and arthritis, there is a need for straightforward tools in both clinical practice and studies involving patients with PsA. The DHI is a valid and reliable scale to evaluate the functional disability of hands in patients with PsA.

Investigating performance-based hand functions in patients with systemic sclerosis

OBJECTIVE

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a connective tissue disorder characterized by collagen deposits in various organs. Skin involvement is one of the most common symptoms and along with vascular damage, may deteriorate hand functions. However, the status of hand functions has generally been investigated using patient-reported measures in patients with SSc. The aim of the present study was to investigate performance-based hand functions in patients with SSc using the Sollerman Hand Function Test (SHFT).

METHODS

A total of 39 patients with SSc (33 females) were included in the study. Twenty-four patients were classified as limited cutaneous SSc (lcSSc), while 15 patients were classified as diffuse cutaneous SSc (dcSSc). Hand-related physical characteristics were evaluated using the Modified Hand Mobility in Scleroderma Test, grip strength, and pinch strengths. The Duruoz Hand Index (Cochin Hand Functional Disability Scale), Disability of Arm, Shoulder, and Hand Questionnaire, Health Assessment Questionnaire, and Scleroderma Health Assessment Questionnaire were used as patient-reported measures. Performance-based hand functions were evaluated using SHFT.

RESULTS

No significant differences were observed between lcSSc and dcSSc subtypes regarding performance-based and patient-reported hand functions (p > 0.05). SHFT scores significantly correlated with hand-related physical characteristics and patient-reported hand functions (p < 0.05). The highest correlation was determined between SHFT and the Duruoz Hand Index (rho: -0.652, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

According to our results, performance-based hand functions seem not to be affected by disease subtype. Performance-based hand functions may partially be captured by the patient-reported outcomes, especially the Duruoz Hand Index, in patients with SSc.

Association between arthritis and hand grip strength indices combined with anthropometry in an older Korean population

BACKGROUND

Hand grip strength (HGS) is related to arthritis and all-cause mortality. Many studies have examined the association between HGS and arthritis, but these studies did not consider relative HGS indices. The objectives of this study were to examine the association between arthritis and HGS indices in an older Korean population and to compare an absolute HGS index and a relative HGS indices.

METHODS

In a large-scale cross-sectional study, a total of 16,860 subjects older than 50 years from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Survey from 2014 to 2019 were included for statistical analysis. A binary logistic regression model was used to examine the association between arthritis and HGS indices in crude and covariate-adjusted models.

RESULTS

In the crude analysis, all anthropometric and HGS indices were associated with arthritis except for weight in men. In adjusted models 1 and 2, among the anthropometric indices, waist circumference (WC) and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) were associated with arthritis in men but not in women. Absolute HGS and all relative HGS indices showed a negative association with arthritis among both men and women, and the magnitude of the association of arthritis with the absolute HGS index and the relative HGS indices was similar. However, the magnitude of the association between all HGS indices and arthritis was higher for men than for women except in the crude analysis.

DISCUSSION

Absolute and relative HGS indices had negative associations with arthritis, and the magnitude of the association between the absolute HGS index and arthritis and between the relative HGS indices and arthritis was similar in all models. To our knowledge, this is the first report of an association between arthritis and relative HGS indices, which was not observed in previous studies.

The association between hand disease severity and fatigue in individuals with systemic sclerosis: a scoping review

BACKGROUND

Hand disease severity in people with systemic sclerosis (SSc) arises from connective tissue and vascular changes causing functional limitations, pain, and disability. Fatigue is not well-understood in SSc and reported to be highly distressing. It is not known how fatigue relates to these disease changes. The objective of this study was to identify which elements of hand disease severity contribute to fatigue in individuals with SSc.

METHODS

Five online databases and Google Scholar were searched to identify publications through 2021 presenting data related to hand disease severity and fatigue.

RESULTS

Five articles met the inclusion criteria. The samples were 72-91% female, and 35-100% with diffuse SSc. Measures of disease severity included skin thickening (modified Rodnan score), joint involvement (mobility, tenderness, swelling), and digital ulcers. Fatigue was measured by various self-report. Joint involvement was strongly associated with fatigue. Skin thickening weakly associated with fatigue. The perceived interference of digital ulcers in daily activities was related to fatigue.

CONCLUSIONS

Few studies have examined how fatigue relates to hand disease severity. While joint involvement was associated with fatigue over time and in cross-sectional studies, digital ulcers may be associated with fatigue indirectly. A conceptual model is proposed with implications for future research.Implications for RehabilitationStructural disease changes that manifest in the hands, is often associated with pain, disability, and fatigue in SSc.Fatigue is one of the most distressing symptoms of SSc and reported by 61-90% of individuals with SSc, but is not well characterized.Of measures of hand disease severity, joint involvement (contractures, swollen and tender joints) is most associated with fatigue in individuals with SSc and more so if pain is involved.A better understanding of the physiological features of disease and fatigue could provide insight into development of fatigue management interventions and help rheumatology providers work with patients to manage their fatigue.Rehabilitation assessments and interventions for hand disability need to be considered as important elements in improving all elements of quality of life for individuals with systemic sclerosis.

The relationship of nailfold capillaroscopy patterns with clinical features, functional status, pain and fatigue in patients with systemic sclerosis

Aim: To identify the frequency of scleroderma-type capillaroscopic patterns and evaluate the association of capillaroscopic patterns with clinical parameters, functional status, fatigue, and pain in systemic sclerosis (SSc). Material and Method: This cross-sectional study included SSc patients consecutively between January 2017 and January 2019. Cutaneous involvement was evaluated with the modified Rodnan skin score (mRSS). The presence of digital ulcers, Raynaud phenomenon, interstitial lung disease, pulmonary hypertension, cardiac, gastrointestinal system (GIS), renal, joint and muscle involvement were recorded. The severity of the Raynaud phenomenon, fatigue, pain, and patient global assessment (PGA) was assessed on the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). The Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) and the Duruoz Hand Index (DHI) were used to assess physical disability and hand function, respectively. Nailfold videocapillaroscopic examinations of the patients were performed, and they were classified into four groups, including normal/non-specific, early, active, and late scleroderma patterns. Results: The mean age of 32 patients with SSc (31 female, one male) was 48.93±12.77. Anormal capillaroscopic examination findings were detected in 93.7% of the patients, and the most common capillaroscopic pattern was the active pattern. The comparison of scleroderma pattern groups revealed no difference in age (p=0.224), but disease duration was shorter in the early pattern group (p=0.005). The duration and severity of the Raynaud phenomenon, and mean mRSS were lower in the early pattern group (p=0.004, p=0.009, and p=0.001, respectively). The digital ulcer (p=0.011) and diffuse cutaneous SSc (p=0.016) were more common in the late pattern group. The percentage of pulmonary hypertension (p=0.011), GIS involvement (p

Rehabilitative interventions for ischaemic digital ulcers, pain, and hand functioning in systemic sclerosis: a prospective before-after study

BACKGROUND

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a rare connective tissue disease characterised by immune dysfunction, vasculopathy, cellular inflammation, fibrosis of the skin associated with multiple internal organs involvement. Ischaemic digital ulcers (IDU) of the hands commonly occur in patients with SSc adversely affecting functional independence.

PURPOSE

Aim of the study is to investigate the effectiveness of a rehabilitation protocol based on the combined use of ultrasound (US) therapy and therapeutic exercise in terms of ulcers healing, pain relief, and hand functioning in patients affected by SSc with IDUs. Moreover, we also investigated the safety of the proposed intervention.

STUDY DESIGN

Prospective before-after study.

METHODS

We included 20 patients with IDUs secondary to SSc. All patients were treated with US combined with manual therapy, including McMennel joint manipulation, pompage mobilization technique and connective tissue massage, for 10 sessions. We evaluated softness, dyschromia, pain, and hand mobility using the Pressure Sore Status Tool (PSST), the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS), and the Duruoz Hand Index (DHI) at T0 and at the end of the treatment (T1).

RESULTS

Treatment with US combined with manual therapy significantly reduced ulcers depth, improved ulcers margins, and reduced periwound skin damage (median PSST score 16 at T1, p<0.0001). Moreover, significant benefits were reported in terms of pain relief (NRS 3 at T1; p<0.0005), and hand function (DHI score 19 at T1; p<0.0005). Finally, this approach seems to be safe, without side effects reported at the end of treatment, along with an optimal compliance.

CONCLUSION

Therapeutic US combined with manual therapy should be used as additional intervention to manage IDUs in SSc patients.

Frequency of carpal tunnel syndrome and hand dysfunction in prediabetes: A cross-sectional, controlled study

Objectives

This study aims to evaluate the frequency of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), to investigate the impairment of hand functions in patients with prediabetes (PD), and to compare laboratory findings of PD patients with and without CTS.

Patients and methods

Between June 2018 and January 2019, a total of 115 patients (29 males, 86 females; mean age: 51.4±11.8 years; range, 24 to 78 years) who were recently diagnosed with PD and a total of 54 healthy participants (17 males, 37 females; mean age: 48.4±13.2 years; range, 21 to 78 years) as the control group were included. Demographic and clinical data of the patients including oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) were recorded, and both groups were examined for the presence of CTS. Clinically suspected CTS was confirmed by electrodiagnostic studies. The hand grip strength (HGS) was measured and hand functions were evaluated using the Duruöz Hand Index (DHI).

Results

There were no significant differences in the age, sex, occupation, body mass index (BMI), or insulin resistance between the groups. A total of 24 (20.9%) patients with PD and eight (14.8%) healthy controls had CTS (p=0.349). Hand functions were worse in the PD patients than the control group (p=0.044). Age, occupation, BMI, insulin resistance, OGTT at 0 and 2 h, and HbA1c values were similar between the PD patients with or without CTS.

Conclusion

Our study, for the first time, reveals that CTS is slightly more common and hand functions are impaired in PD compared to the healthy individuals. Based on these findings, we suggest that hand functions should be evaluated in PD patients.

The Efficacy of a Home-Based, Self-Administered Hand Exercise Program for Patients With Systemic Sclerosis: A Randomized Controlled, Evaluator-Blind, Clinical Trial

BACKGROUND

For patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc), hand involvement is an underrated clinical manifestation. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of a hand exercise program and to demonstrate its effect on hand function, quality of life, anxiety, and depression in patients with SSc.

METHODS

This study was designed as a single blind, randomized controlled comparative study. Sixty-two female patients with SSc were randomized into an exercise group (n = 32) or a control group (n = 30). After some were lost to follow-up, 25 patients were analyzed in each group. In the exercise group, the 8-week intervention consisted of isometric hand exercises and self-administered stretching repeated 10 times/2 sets per day. All patients were assessed using the Hand Mobility in Scleroderma (HAMIS) test, the Duruoz Hand Index (DHI), grip strength, the 36-item short form, Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disability Index (HAQ-DI), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) at baseline and then again 4 and 8 weeks later. Within-group comparisons over time were analyzed using the Friedman test. Post hoc analysis was performed using the Wilcoxon signed rank test. A multiple linear regression analysis was used to define the impact of exercise on clinical status.

RESULTS

Of the 50 total patients, the median age and the median body mass index were 55.5 years and 25.9 kg/m2. The median disease duration was 10.0 years. Thirty-four patients (68.0%) were diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis (dcSSC), whereas 16 (32.0%) were limited cutaneous systemic sclerosis (lcSSc). The primary outcome of handgrip strength, as well as the HAMIS, DHI, HAQ-DI, and BDI, significantly improved over time (p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p < 0.001, and p = 0.005, respectively). The between-group comparison indicated significant improvement in DHI, handgrip strength, HAQ-DI, BAI, and BDI in the exercise group (p = 0.02, p = 0.013, p < 0.001, p = 0.015, and p = 0.036, respectively). In the multiple linear regression analysis, exercise was found to be the most efficient factor affecting the improvement in HAMIS, DHI, HAQ-DI, and grip strength.

CONCLUSIONS

The 8-week intervention composed of isometric hand exercises and self-administered stretching provided a significant improvement in handgrip strength, general health, quality of life, and psychological status for patients with SSc.

Assessment of Rheumatoid Hand Function as a Characteristic Feature of Rheumatoid Arthritis in Patients Treated with Methotrexate or Methotrexate with Biological Agents with and without Deformation of Hands

BACKGROUND

The hand is an excellent work tool that provides the functional ability to mechanical work. The hand is affected in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients, it is a significant problem in the functional sphere as a result of deformities, the grasping function limitation and muscle strength.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of the study was the assessment of grip strength, endurance and manipulation abilities of rheumatoid hands with or without deformities treated with methotrexate (MTX) or MTX plus biologics (MTX+BIO).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study involved 80 RA women, (40 received MTX+BIO, 40 MTX), treated at the Rheumatology Department of the Central Clinical Hospital of Interior Affairs in Warsaw. VAS-pain, DAS28, SDAI, HAQ, HAQ hands, estimation of hand grip strength, endurance, manipulation ability were analyzed.

RESULTS

In group MTX+BIO values of DAS28 (3.7±1.3 vs 4.3±1.2, p=0.019), HAQ (0.72 ± 0.57 vs 1.08± 0.87, p=0.011) and HAQ-hand (0.85±0.65 vs. 1.19±0.68, p=0.024) were statistically lower than in MTX group. Hand deformations recorded in 35 (43.7%) cases, 16 (40%) in MTX group, 19 (47.5%) in MTX+BIO. Comparison of grip strength, endurance, manipulation ability showed better results in MTX+BIO group with deformities (significance level from 0.013 to 0.046) than in MTX group. Relative differences in hand function in MTX + BIO group ranged from 10.8% (maximal power grip strength) to 127.6% (minimal hand endurance), after disease duration adjustment - from 28.2% (maximal power grip strength) to 148.4% (minimal hand endurance).

CONCLUSION

Measuring grip strength, hand endurance, manipulation abilities are useful in RA patients with hand deformities.

Development and validation of a Patient-Reported Outcome in systemic sclerosis: the Hand scleroDerma lived Experience Scale (HAnDE Scale)

OBJECTIVES

to develop and validate a Patient Reported Outcome (PRO) scale-the HAnDE (Hand-ScleroDerma Disease lived Experience) scale-assessing the lived experience of hand involvement in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc).

METHODS

explanatory sequential mixed-method study with two phases: 1) PRO development through an Inductive Process to analyze the Structure of lived Experience approach, involving 21 SSc patients, 2) PRO validation by assessing the psychometric properties of the scale among 105 SSc patients.

RESULTS

1) Phase-1 enabled to generate the 18-item provisional scale. 2) The mean total score of the scale was 29,16 (SD 16,15). The item reduction process retained 16 items with 5 levels of answers (range 0-64). Internal consistency of the 16-item version was excellent (Cronbach-alpha coefficient=0,946). Construct validity was very good, the Principal Component Analysis being in favour of a unidimensional instrument, with one factor explaining 56% of the variance, and concurrent validity being confirmed: Cochin Hand Function Scale r=0,66; Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disability index r=0.58; Hospital Anxiety Depression, anxiety r=0,51, depression r=0,4; Mouth Handicap in Systemic Sclerosis r=0,61; SF-36, physical component r=-0,48, mental component r=-0,46; and Kapandji score r=-0,46. The correlations were statistically significant (p<0,05).

CONCLUSION

We propose, for future trials and clinical practice in SSc, a new PRO the HAnDE scale, that assesses all the dimensions -functional, aesthetic, relational, existential, and emotional- of the lived experience of hand involvement.

Monitoring of the oxidation of the oil from sacha inchi (

This work focuses on the characterization of the oxidation of the oil from sacha inchi seeds (Plukenetia volubilis) under accelerated conditions at 60 ºC for 15 days. Five samples were monitored: three supplemented with 200 ppm of non-hydrolyzed or partially hydrolyzed (for 4 and 9 hours) extracts from tara (Caesalpinia spinosa) pods, one without antioxidant and one with 200 ppm of BHT. Several conventional tech­niques (induction time, peroxide value, conjugated dienoic acid, p-anisidine value, total unsaturated fatty acids and α-linolenic acid contents) and the MIR spectroscopy coupled with chemometric tools were used and com­pared. The results revealed that whatever the antioxidant added, the oil from sacha inchi is fairly stable over time. The results also pointed out that extracts from tara pods, mainly those partially hydrolyzed, were more efficient than BHT against oil oxidation for up to 7 days. Finally, this paper shows that MIR spectroscopy pres­ents an interesting alternative technique for the monitoring of the oxidation of the oil from sacha inchi.

Concurrent validity of handgrip strength between the jamar and bulb dynamometers in women with rheumatoid arthitis

Abstract Introduction: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a progressive disease that causes deformation and constant joint damage. Handgrip strength (HGS) has been used by several health professionals in clinical practice as a mechanism for assessing muscle strength and overall performance. Objective: To perform the concordance analysis of handgrip strength measurements using a pneumatic dynamometer (Bulb) and a hydraulic dynamometer (Jamar) in women with rheumatoid arthritis. Method: The HGS measurements by the two dynamometers followed the norms of the American Society of Hand Therapists. The concordance between measurements was performed by the Bland-Altman method. Significance level was 5%. Results: In total, 41 women (60.63 ± 8.35 years) participated in the study. Analysis showed that the measures between the two dynamometers were not concordant (bias = 9.04, p < 0.01), there was a linear relationship between the difference of the measures and the mean (r = 0.73, p < 0.01), and the limits of agreement were very extensive (−2.74 to 20.81). Conclusion: Assuming that the rheumatoid arthritis compromises the hands, with a consequent decrease in HGS, further exploration of the subject is suggested in future studies to define the best measure for clinical practice at the different levels of health care. However, since there are many different dynamometers, we suggest to better explore the agreement between the measurements obtained by them in populations under different conditions.

The impact of systemic sclerosis on health-related quality of life assessed by SF-36: A systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this meta-analysis was to systematically review the literature to evaluate the impact of systemic sclerosis (SSc) on the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) assessed by the Medical Outcomes Short-Form-36 questionnaire (SF-36).

METHODS

A systematic literature search was performed on PubMed, Web of Science and Embase until April 2017 to obtain eligible studies. Random effect model was performed to summarize the scores of each domain. Scores from the SF-36 questionnaire were used as the outcome measurements, and mean differences with 95% confidence intervals were calculated.

RESULTS

In total, seven studies were eligible for inclusion criteria, comprising 795 SSc patients and 1154 healthy controls. The SF-36 questionnaire score of each domain (physical function, role physical function, emotional role function, vitality, mental health, social function, body pain, general health) was lower in SSc patients than in healthy controls, meanwhile, physical component scale (PCS) and mental component scale (MCS) scores were all lower in patients with SSc than in healthy controls. Likewise, pooled mean scores of PCS and MCS ranged from 31.20 to 52.80, 37.40 to 68.30, respectively. Additionally, the score of PCS was lower than that of MCS in SSc patients.

CONCLUSIONS

This meta-analysis showed that SSc patients had lower HRQoL than healthy controls, and SSc had negative influence on the HRQoL of patients. This indicates that clinical workers should pay more attention to SSc patients' HRQoL, so as to improve global health of patients with SSc.