AB0555 Is higher fitness associated with better health-related quality of life in women with systemic lupus erythematosus?

Abstract

BackgroundPatients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) present reduced health-related quality of life (HRQoL).1 As an adjunct to traditional medical therapy, higher levels of physical fitness seem to be associated with better symptomatology and HRQoL.2 However, a comprehensive characterisation of the association of different components of physical fitness with the different dimensions of HRQoL in this population is lacking and would provide valuable information for the design of prospective studies.ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to investigate the association of different physical fitness components (flexibility, muscle strength and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) with the dimensions of HRQoL.MethodsThis cross-sectional study included a total of 70 women with SLE (age 42.5; SD 13,9). The back scratch test, 30 s chair stand test and 6 min walk test (n=49) (from the Senior Fitness Test battery) as well as the handgrip strength test were used to assess physical fitness. The median value of each fitness test [flexibility (0.125 cm), upper muscle strength (24.2 kg), lower muscle strength (15 repetitions) and CRF (575 metres)] was used to consider high (≥median value) or low (<median value) fitness. HRQoL was assessed through the 36-item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36). Partial correlation was used to examine the association of physical fitness components with all dimensions of the SF-36. For those dimensions significantly associated with fitness, analyses of covariance compared the differences in HRQoL between patients with low and high fitness level. All analyses were controlled for age, body mass index, depression and fatigue.ResultsFlexibility was correlated with physical function, social functioning and physical component (rpartial between −0.26 and 0.28; all, p<0.05). Patients with a high level of flexibility only presented better physical function than those with a low level (p=0.03). Upper and lower muscle strength were correlated with physical function, physical role, bodily pain and physical component (rpartial between 0.28 and 0.50; all, p<0.05) with differences between groups of low and high muscle strength (upper and lower body) in all those dimensions (p<0.05). CRF was correlated with physical function, bodily pain and physical component (rpartial between 0.39 and 0.65; all p<0.01), with differences in physical function and physical component between groups of low and high CRF (p<0.05).ConclusionsThe main findings of the present study suggest that flexibility, muscular strength and cardiorespiratory fitness are associated with different dimensions of HRQoL, particularly with those related to self-reported physical health, in women with systemic lupus erythematosus. Future prospective research should assess the predictive role of fitness regarding disease activity and function.References[1] Chaigne B, et al. BMC Immunology. 2017Mar. 18:17.[2] Balsamo S, et al. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders. 2013 Sept (8):14, 263.Disclosure of InterestNone declared