Clinical Sciences/Health Conditions
Nan Chen, PhD
Prof.
Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine: Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine Xinhua Hospital
shanghai, Shanghai, China (People's Republic)
This study aims to explore the relationship between quality of life and pain levels, fatigue, depression, muscle strength, submaximal exercise capacity, and function ability in ERA patients, providing new insights for improving quality of life in this population.
Design:
A total of 28 patients diagnosed with ERA following the 2018 Pediatric Rheumatology International Trials Organization classification criteria were recruited from the inpatient and outpatient departments of a tertiary hospital in China (male 56.7%, mean age of 11.3±3.1, mean duration of the disease of 15±13 months, 26.7% positive for HLA-B27). The quality of life (Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory 3.0 Rheumatology Module, PedsQL 3.0 RM), fatigue levels (PedsQL Multidimensional Fatigue Scale, PedsQL MFS), depression (Children's Depression Inventory, CDI), pain levels (Numeric Rating Pain Scale, NRP), Six-minute walking test, function ability (Children Health Assessment Questionnaire, CHAQ), muscle strength [handgrip strength(HGS) and knee extensors (KE)].
Results:
Pearson correlation analysis showed significant associations between quality of life and fatigue (r=0.72, p < 0.001), CDI (r=-0.58, p=0.003), 6-MWT (r=0.52, p=0.004), CHAQ (r=-0.36, p=0.017), and muscle strength (KE: r=0.55, p < 0.001). The stepwise linear regression analysis showed a significant correlation (F=4.83, p < 0.038, adjusted R-squared=0.569), and fatigue and KE were identified as predictors of quality of life (fatigue: β=0.66, p < 0.001; KE: β=0.32, p=0.038), explaining 60.4% of quality of life.
Conclusion:
Fatigue and knee extensors can affect the quality of life in patients with ERA. Therefore, this population can enhance their quality of life by reducing fatigue levels and increasing knee extensors.
