Factors associated with physical function among people with systemic sclerosis: a SPIN cohort cross-sectional study
Authors: Dal Santo Tiffany , Rice Danielle B , Carrier Marie-Eve , Virgili-Gervais Gabrielle , Levis Brooke , Kwakkenbos Linda , Golberg Meira , Bartlett Susan J , Gietzen Amy , Gottesman Karen , Guillot Geneviève , Hudson Marie , Hummers Laura K , Malcarne Vanessa L , Mayes Maureen D , Mouthon Luc , Richard Michelle , Sauvé Maureen , Wojeck Robyn K , Geoffroy Marie-Claude , Benedetti Andrea , Thombs Brett D ,   SPIN Investigators, Fortuné Catherine , Adams Claire E , El-Baalbaki Ghassan , Fligelstone Kim , Frech Tracy , Harel Daphna , Henry Richard S , Hinchcliff Monique , Johnson Sindhu R , Larche Maggie , Leite Catarina , Nguyen Christelle , Nielsen Karen , Pope Janet , Rannou François , Rodriguez-Reyna Tatiana Sofia , Schouffoer Anne A , Suarez-Almazor Maria E , Agard Christian , Alric Laurent , André Marc , Beaslay Floryan , Bernstein Elana J , Berthier Sabine , Bissonnette Lyne , Blaise Sophie , Bories Eva , Bruns Alessandra , Cacciatore Carlotta , Carreira Patricia , Casadevall Marion , Chaigne Benjamin , Chung Lorinda , Crichi Benjamin , Deltombe Thylbert , Denton Christopher , Desroche Tannvir , Domsic Robyn , Dunne James V , Dunogue Bertrand , Fare Regina , Farge-Bancel Dominique , Fortin Paul R , Gauzère Loraine , Gerber Anne , Gordon Jessica , Granel-Rey Brigitte , Guffroy Aurélien , Gyger Geneviève , Hachulla Eric , Hoa Sabrina , Hughes Michael , Ikic Alena , Jones Niall , Kafaja Suzanne , Khalidi Nader , Lakin Kimberly , Lambert Marc , Launay David , Lee Yvonne C , Legendre Paul , Maillard Hélène , Maltez Nancy , Manning Joanne , Marie Isabelle , Lopez Maria Martin , Martin Thierry , Masetto Ariel , Maurier François , Mekinian Arsène , Díaz Sheila Melchor , Mourguet Morgane , Nikpour Mandana , Olagne Louis , Poindron Vincent , Proudman Susanna , Pugnet Grégory , Raffray Loïc , Régent Alexis , Renou Frederic , Rivière Sébastien , Robinson David , Almazar Esther Rodríguez , Roux Sophie , Smets Perrine , Sobanski Vincent , Spiera Robert , Steen Virginia , Sutton Evelyn , Thorne Carter , Vagner Damien , Varga John , Wilcox Pearce , Ayala Mara Cañedo , Cook Vanessa , Hu Sophie , Nassar Elsa-Lynn , Neyer Marieke Alexandra , Provencher Sabrina 
Published: March 2024

Objectives

To compare physical function in systemic sclerosis (SSc, scleroderma) to general population normative data and identify associated factors.

Methods

Scleroderma Patient-centered Intervention Network Cohort participants completed the Physical Function domain of the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Version 2 upon enrolment. Multivariable linear regression was used to assess associations of sociodemographic, lifestyle, and disease-related variables.

Results

Among 2385 participants, the mean physical function T-score (43.7, SD = 8.9) was ∼2/3 of a standard deviation (SD) below the US general population (mean = 50, SD = 10). Factors associated in the multivariable analysis included older age (−0.74 points per SD years, 95% CI −0.78 to −1.08), female sex (−1.35, −2.37 to −0.34), fewer years of education (−0.41 points per SD in years, −0.75 to −0.07), being single, divorced, or widowed (−0.76, −1.48 to −0.03), smoking (−3.14, −4.42 to −1.85), alcohol consumption (0.79 points per SD drinks per week, 0.45–1.14), BMI (−1.41 points per SD, −1.75 to −1.07), diffuse subtype (−1.43, −2.23 to −0.62), gastrointestinal involvement (−2.58, −3.53 to −1.62), digital ulcers (−1.96, −2.94 to −0.98), moderate (−1.94, −2.94 to −0.93) and severe (−1.76, −3.24 to −0.28) small joint contractures, moderate (−2.10, −3.44 to −0.76) and severe (−2.54, −4.64 to −0.44) large joint contractures, interstitial lung disease (−1.52, −2.27 to −0.77), pulmonary arterial hypertension (−3.72, −4.91 to −2.52), rheumatoid arthritis (−2.10, −3.64 to −0.56) and idiopathic inflammatory myositis (−2.10, −3.63 to −0.56).

Conclusion

Physical function is impaired for many individuals with SSc and is associated with multiple disease factors.