Quality and acceptability of patient-reported outcome measures used to assess fatigue in axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA): a systematic review (protocol)

Prevalence and factors associated with fatigue in patients with axial spondyloarthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Objectives

Axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) is a chronic inflammatory rheumatic disease associated with significant morbidity. Fatigue, a widely recognized disease manifestation, has considerable impacts on patients' work productivity, physical function and mental well-being. However, the reported prevalence of fatigue varies across studies, and pooled data are currently lacking. We aimed to characterize the prevalence of fatigue in patients with axSpA and to identify factors associated with fatigue.

Methods

A systematic review and a meta-analysis were conducted to determine the global prevalence of fatigue in patients with axSpA. Databases including CINAHL, Embase, Medline, Cochrane Library, PubMed and Google Scholar were searched from inception until April 2023. Data were extracted, and the quality of studies was assessed. A pooled prevalence of fatigue was determined by using a random-effects model. Meta-analyses were used to determine the observed heterogeneity via subgroup analysis and associations between relevant predictors and the presence of fatigue.

Results

Thirty eligible articles were included in the study, including 7893 patients with axSpA. The pooled prevalence of fatigue in patients with axSpA was 0.56 (95% CI: 0.49, 0.63; I2 = 94.6%), with significant levels of heterogeneity. Among the factors of heterogeneity explored, the geographical region of the study (P = 0.0013) was significant for being a possible source. Poorer quality of life was associated with more fatigue (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

More than half of patients with axSpA experience fatigue, with poorer quality of life being associated with more fatigue.

Feasibility study on the use of "Qi-tonifying medicine compound" as an anti-fatigue functional food ingredient based on network pharmacology and molecular docking

Introduction

Fatigue has attracted broad attention in recent years due to its high morbidity rates. The use of functional foods to relieve fatigue-associated symptoms is becoming increasingly popular and has achieved relatively good results. In this study, network pharmacology and molecular docking strategies were used to establish the material basis and mechanisms of Chinese herbal compounds in fatigue treatment. According to traditional medicine theories and relevant guidance documents published by the Chinese Ministry of Health, four herbal medicines, including Eucommia ulmoides Oliver bark, Eucommia ulmoides Oliver male flower, Panax notoginseng, and Syzygium aromaticum (EEPS), were selected to constitute the anti-fatigue herbal compound that may be suitable as functional food ingredients.

Methods

The major active ingredients in EEPS were identified via comprehensive literature search and Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology database search. Corresponding targets for these ingredients were predicted using SwissTargetPrediction. The network was constructed using Cytoscape 3.9.1 to obtain key ingredients. Prediction of absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion and toxicity properties was performed using the ADMETIab 2.0 database. The anti-fatigue targets were retrieved from GeneCards v5.13, OMIM, TTD and DisGeNET 7.0 databases. Then, the potential targets of EEPS in fatigue treatment were screened through a Venn diagram. A protein-protein interaction (PPI) network of these overlapping targets was constructed, and the hub targets in the network selected through topological screening. Gene Ontology and KEGG pathway enrichment analyses were performed using the DAVID database and the bioinformatics online platform. Finally, AutoDock tools were used to verify the binding capacity between the key active ingredients and the core targets.

Results and Discussion

This study identified the active ingredients and potential molecular mechanisms of EEPS in fatigue treatment, which will provide a foundation for future research on applications of herbal medicines in the functional food industry.

Measuring outcomes in ankylosing spondylitis: pearls and pitfalls

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) warrant a comprehensive clinical assessment because of the lack of biomarkers of disease activity, prognosis and response to biologic therapy. Multiple AS-related questionnaires have been developed to assess the disease status accurately, but feasibility remains a problem in clinical practice. The purpose of this review is to assess the pearls and pitfalls of AS-related outcome measures.

RECENT FINDINGS

Single-item questionnaires to measure pain, stiffness and fatigue in patients with AS are easily administrable but may lack a sufficient degree of responsiveness on an individual patient level. The Bath Ankylosing Disease Activity Index remains the gold standard for assessing disease activity in a routine practice, despite poor correlation with C-reactive protein (CRP) levels and MRI inflammation. The Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score, a validated and highly discriminatory tool for assessing disease activity in AS, has been developed but lacks feasibility as erythrocytic sedimentation rate and CRP values are often not available during a clinic visit. RAPID-3 appears feasible to assess patients with AS quantitatively over time in busy clinical settings.

SUMMARY

The assessment of disease status in AS is complex and is impacted by multiple factors. The biggest challenge in AS is to incorporate the disease-specific indices into a routine practice. VIDEO ABSTRACT: http://links.lww.com/COR/A42.