The impact of low muscle function on health-related quality of life in Indonesian women with systemic lupus erythematosus

Abstract

Objective There was no study aimed at evaluating the effect of muscle function on SLE patients' quality of life using the Sarcopenia Quality of Life (SarQoL) questionnaire. Methods This cross-sectional study recruited 61 women with SLE consecutively, muscle function was measured with Jamar handheld-dynamometer and 6-meter walk test, HRQoL was measured with Sarcopenia Quality of Life (SarQoL) questionnaire. The cut-off point for low muscle strength (<18 kg) and low gait speed (<1.0 m/s) was according to the Asian Working Group on Sarcopenia 2019 criteria. Statistical analysis was conducted with a t-test for mean difference, and linear regression was used to adjust confounders (age, protein intake, physical exercise, and disease activity). Results The subjects' mean muscle strength was 19.54 kg (6.94), and 44.3% (n = 27) was found to have low muscle strength. The subjects' mean gait speed was 0.77 m/s (0.20), and 90.3% (n = 55) was found to have low gait speed. The difference of total SarQoL score in subjects with normal and low muscle strength was found to be significant; 74.86 (9.48) vs. 65.49 (15.51) (p = 0.009), and still statistically significant after adjustments with age, protein intake, physical exercise level, and disease activity [B 0.56; 95% CI 0.08–1.03; p = 0.022]. The difference of total SarQoL score in subjects with normal and low physical performance was found to be not significant, 70.67 (11.08) vs. 70.72 (13.56) (p = 0.993). Conclusion There was a significant difference in SarQoL's total score in normal compared with low muscle strength groups of Indonesian women with SLE.

Muscle strength, not muscle mass, determines the health-related quality of life in Indonesian women with systemic lupus erythematosus

“…We already elaborated the results of our study subjects’ anthropometric measurements compared with the general population in Indonesia and other patients with lupus in other relevant countries. 8 In brief, our study subjects have weaker muscle strength and lower gait speed than comparably aged individuals and lower than the community-based elderly group. Meanwhile, our study volunteers seem to have a slightly better mean appendicular muscle mass index (6.49 (0.98)) compared with comparably aged Indonesian women from other study cohorts (Kurniawan et al , 6.17 (0.66) kg/m 2 and Wattimena et al , 5.98 (0.46) kg/m 2 ).…”

“… 4–7 Our previous study has also established that low muscle strength significantly impacts sarcopenia health-related quality of life (SarQoL) in Indonesian women with lupus. 8 Our study used the SarQoL Questionnaire to evaluate HRQoL because, unlike generic HRQoL tools, SarQoL specifically measures the specific domains directly related to muscle strength and function. 9 …”

“…Interestingly, although many studies in the autoimmune population have shown an increased rate of sarcopenia in the affected subjects, there is still a debate on what is more important, muscle function or strength, in its impact on HRQoL. 10 Following our previous study, 8 we evaluate the impact of muscle function (strength) and muscle mass on SarQoL to better understand the issue in patients with lupus. In addition, we also try to determine associated factors affecting muscle strength to help further intervention in increasing the quality of life of patients with lupus.…”

An Indonesian pregnant woman with systemic lupus erythematosus and cardiac tamponade: A case report

“…Pulse dose corticosteroids 500–1000 mg IV per day is given for 3–5 days in severe disease activity for faster disease control. Cyclophosphamide is given 500 mg every 2 weeks, 6 doses, or 500–1000 mg/m 2 monthly for 6 months, while cyclophosphamide is given in severe lupus [15] , [16] .…”

Frequency of sarcopenia in Turkish women with systemic lupus erythematosus

“…The group of patients defined as having low HGS was found to be 44%, and the sarcopenia quality of life indices were reported to be lower in the low HGS group. 11 The relationship between sarcopenia and disease markers has been extensively studied in other rheumatic diseases such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic sclerosis, Sjögren's syndrome and ankylosing spondylitis. However, little is known about the relationship between SLE-specific markers and sarcopenia.…”