Evaluation of quality of life in patients with systemic sclerosis by the SF-36 questionnaire

Abstract

Aims: to evaluate the quality of life of patients affected by systemic sclerosis (SSc) through the application of the Medical Outcome Survey Short-Form 36 (SF-36) questionnaire and to correlate the results with the disability index of the health assessment questionnaire (HAQ-DI) and the systemic involvement. Methods: we studied 95 (3 M, 91 F) patients affected by SSc (mean age 60 years, range 39-83, mean duration of disease 6 years, range 1-34). The organ system involvement was evaluated by skin score, chest High Resolution Computed Tomography (HRCT), electrocardiography according to Holter, Doppler-echocardiography and oesofagogram. Results: considering the values of the 8 question groups of the SF-36 the most different between the patients and the control population are the values relevant to the physical dimension. The general health values estimating the physical and social dimension are significantly lower in the patients than in the control population (t=9,324; p<0,0001). A very good correlation was found between the DI (r = -0,7903 ; p <0.0001) and all the scores of SF-36. The skin involvement showed a statistically significant correlation with the DI (r=0.3709; p=0.0002) and the PA score of the SF- 36 (r =0.2853; p=0.0051). No other statistically significant correlation was found between any of the SF-36 dimensions and involvement of a specific organ. Conclusion: SF-36 showed to be a valid instrument to evaluate the quality of life and the disability of patients with SSc and it seems to correlate with extent of skin involvement

Oropharyngolaryngeal Disorders in Scleroderma: Development and Validation of the SLS Scale

“…In our analysis of the items in the Qol subscale, we observed that eating and speaking pleasure in social gatherings was preserved, whereas items concerning functions (e.g., swallowing) were impaired. Our results are in agreement with those of Cossutta et al [37] who assessed quality of life using SF-36 [16] in an SSc population. They found a decrease in quality of life, especially with respect to the physical dimension (e.g., household activities).…”

Anorectal Motility and Sensation Abnormalities and Its Correlation with Anorectal Symptoms in Patients with Systemic Sclerosis: A Preliminary Study

“…It is known that SSc patients with severe GI involvement experience considerably reduced QoL in physical and social dimensions [17, 25], with increased mortality of up to 85% within 9 years, compared to patients with minor GI complaints [38]. The Medical Outcome Survey Short-Form 36 (SF-36) questionnaire has been used to assess quality of life issues and the systemic involvement [25].…”

“…The Medical Outcome Survey Short-Form 36 (SF-36) questionnaire has been used to assess quality of life issues and the systemic involvement [25]. This questionnaire can serve as an excellent tool for evaluation of quality of life in this particular group of patients, hence our use in the current study.…”

“…This measures nonorgan specific quality of life (QoL) and has been validated in SSc patients, normal populations and in other health conditions [25–29]. Raw SF-36 domain scores and physical component summary (PCS) and mental component summary (MCS) from our study were converted to version 2.0, using a 2.0 conversion kit (SF Health Outcomes Scoring Software, QualityMetric Incorporated, Lincoln, RI, USA).…”

Quality of life in systemic sclerosis

“…Anorrectal involvement occurs in 50-70% of SSc patients, but they are often reticent to report these symptoms to their physicians [90] and therefore are undertreated, resulting in a significant negative effect on HR-QoL [95]. Patients with anorectal dysmotility experience considerably reduced QoL in physical and social dimensions [90,96], with increased mortality of up to 85% compared to patients with minor GI complaints.…”