FRI0601-HPR IMPACT OF LIFE STYLE MODIFICATION TECHNIQUE IN SYSTEMIC SCLEROSIS (SSC) PATIENTS: A STUDY BY RHEUMATOLOGY NURSES COUNSELOR
Authors: S. Baghel, R. Thakran, C. Messi, V. Yadav, S. Kapoor, S. Garg, V. Kashyap, A. Malaviya
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2020)

Background: Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is an autoimmune the disease of the connective tissue that is clinically characterized by the involvement of skin (fibrosis, contractures of the finger joints), microvascular abnormalities (Raynaud’s phenomenon and complications), gastrointestinal involvement (gastroesophageal reflux disease - GERD, the lower GI tract involvement), musculoskeletal involvement (polyarthralgia, muscle disease), and involvement of internal organs (especially lungs, heart, and kidneys). Lifestyle modification techniques could have significant impact on various aspects of the disease including early disease control, increased drug adherence, positive attitude towards life, decreased financial burden of treatment, maintaining mobility and joints range of motion, minimizing or delaying joint contractures and decreased dependency with regular physical therapy. Counselling explaining the benefits of lifestyle modification related to these aspects of daily living may make a major difference in the quality of life of the patients with SSc. Objectives: To assess the benefits of lifestyle modification technique in improving the quality of life in patients with SSc. Methods: Patients with SSc attending the Rheumatology clinic of this institution, willing to participate in the survey, were enrolled in this study. All the information including the follow-up details were recorded in a pre-designed form. Their demographic information (age, gender) and disease characteristics (diagnosis, duration, treatment) were recorded, All the patients were explained the lifestyle modifications and their benefits, reinforced at each follow-up visit using posters (visual), written lifestyle modification techniques (using printed material) to raise their awareness of how to improve several of the above manifestations of SSc. Results: One hundred fifty (n=150) consecutive SSc patients were included in the study. It was observed that with repeated counselling 125 (83.3 %) patients adopted the lifestyle modification technique according to the advice imparted and felt a positive benefit in their daily life. However, 25 (16.6%) could not or did not follow the imparted lifestyle change advice on a regular basis. Those who were able to modify the life-style as counselled showed the following results: 80 % were able to avoid exposure to cold by adopting the following measures: Wearing gloves and extra woolen socks, using mittens most of the time, wearing woollen undergarments to keep the central regions of the body region warm. These patients noted 55% decrease in the episodes of Raynaud’s phenomenon. Early evening meals and raising the head-end of the bed: 60% decrease in gastrointestinal symptoms. Regular physiotherapy: 65 % decrease dependency on others; 55% could maintain flexibility with physical exercises. Regular application and rubbing of the skin with lanoline-containing skin moisturizers 60 % improve your skin’s health 80% were able to avoid active and passive tobacco use. Conclusion: The lifestyle modification techniques are important to control disease and its complications. Thus, after intense and regular counselling by the specialist rheumatology nurses on the lifestyle modification technique (83.3%) adapted the advised lifestyle modifications. The study showed the important role specialist rheumatology nurses can play in educating patients and helping them improving their quality of life. References: [1] Hudson M, Thombs BD, Steele R. at ell. Canadian Scleroderma Research G. QOL in patients with systemic sclerosis compared to the general population and patients with other chronic conditions. J Rheumatol. 2009;36(4):768–72. Disclosure of Interests: None declared