Long-term follow-up of finger passive range of motion in Japanese systemic sclerosis patients treated with self-administered stretching.
Mod Rheumatol
; 29(3): 484-490, 2019 May.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-29667474
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE:
Severe skin sclerosis in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) can result in a loss of hand function. The aim of this study is to examine the long-term changes of finger passive range of motion (ROM) in Japanese SSc patients treated with self-administered stretching.METHODS:
This is a single-center, retrospective, observational cohort study. Forty-three Japanese patients with SSc were given instructions on self-administered stretching. ROM was assessed using a goniometer on their first visit and after 1 year, 3 years, 5 years and 9 years. Hand function was assessed by the Health Assessment Questionnaire disability index (HAQ-DI) at their first visit and after 9 years.RESULTS:
Total passive ROM significantly improved in each finger after 3 years of finger stretching. Most patients (37 of 43 patients, 86%) improved or maintained total passive ROM and hand function within 9 years after their first visit. However, significant improvement of total passive ROM was lost in 6 of 43 SSc patients (14%) 9 years after their first visit. The HAQ-DI also was increased in these six patients. Multivariable analyses revealed that re-elevation of modified Rodnan total skin thickness score during the clinical course (OR = 5.260e + 7, 95% CI 1.52e + 150-uncalculated p = .0096) was the independent factor associated with deterioration of total passive ROM at 9 years.CONCLUSION:
Patients with progressive skin sclerosis during the clinical course need multimodality therapy to maintain finger joint motion, since the effect of self-administered stretching is limited in these patients.Key words
Full text:
1
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Scleroderma, Systemic
/
Range of Motion, Articular
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Muscle Stretching Exercises
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Finger Joint
Type of study:
Observational_studies
/
Risk_factors_studies
Limits:
Adult
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Female
/
Humans
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Male
/
Middle aged
Language:
En
Year:
2019
Type:
Article