AB1425 MEASUREMENT OF PATIENTS’ FUNCTIONAL INDEPENDENCE AND DETERMINANTS OF SEVERITY IN PATIENTS SUFFERING FROM JOINT HYPERMOBILITY SYNDROMES
Authors: R. Jaussaud, J. Gagnoux, R. Amoretti, V. Laurant-Noel, A. Servettaz, O. Lidove, B. Dussol, B. Bienvenu, E. Vlamynck, T. Moulinet
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2024)

<h3>Background:</h3> Symptomatic hypermobility spectrum disorders (HSD) and hypermobile Ehlers Danlos syndromes (hEDS) are characterised by the presence, in addition to joint instability and skin fragility, of chronic pain, anxiety, depression, fatigue, a reduction or loss of functional independence and, as a result, an altered quality of life. <h3>Objectives:</h3> We wanted to know to what extent functional independence could be affected in these two clinical entities, in what areas this impairment was manifested and what were the determinants of the severity of such patients. <h3>Methods:</h3> As part of a study to evaluate the efficacy of compression garments (prospective multicentre study), we assessed functional independence (via the MIF score), pain level (VAS), anxiety-depression level (HAD scale) and quality of life (EQ-5D-3L scale) at inclusion. The MIF score is a hetero-administered scale used to assess activities of daily living (6 items), sphincter control (2 items), mobility (transfers) and locomotion (5 items), communication (2 items) and social cognitive activities (3 items). Each of the 18 items has a maximum score of 7, and a minimum of 1. The highest score is therefore 126, and the lowest 18. This is used to determine the determination and severity of the disability. A comparison of the two groups, HSD and hEDS, was followed by a principal component analysis. The search for homogeneous groups of patients was carried out using a hierarchical ascending analysis. This study was approved by the ethics committee and registered on ClinicalTrials.gov [NCT03330977]. <h3>Results:</h3> 107 patients were included between December 2017 and March 2022 in 7 centres. There was no significant difference between the two groups of HSD and hEDS patients for any of the parameters studied. Three homogeneous groups of patients were identified: the first cluster (27 patients) was characterised by a more marked deterioration in quality of life (-0.05 [-0.17,-0.02]), a more marked level of depression, a more intense state of fatigue and a lower level of functional independence (MIF 100 [93-103]) with all components affected; cluster 2 (41 patients) had a slightly impaired level of MIF (MIF 124 [115-125]) and an intermediate QoL impairment (0. 25 [0.13-0.50]), cluster 3 (39 patients) was made up of subjects who also had a very slightly altered level of MIF (MIF 123 [116-126]), mainly in the motor domain, less fatigue and no depression, and a slightly altered QoL (0.58 [0.24, 0.64]). <h3>Conclusion:</h3> This study assessed the functional independence of HSD and hEDS patients using the MIF score. The level of impairment of functional independence as determined by the MIF measurement, the patients' quality of life and the presence of depression make it possible to characterise a sub-group of more severe HSD or hEDS patients. <h3>REFERENCES:</h3> <b>NIL.</b> <h3>Acknowledgements:</h3> <b>NIL.</b> <h3>Disclosure of Interests:</h3> Roland JAUSSAUD: None declared, Jerôme Gagnoux Textile engineer at Novatex, Richard Amoretti: None declared, Violaine Laurant-Noel: None declared, amelie servettaz: None declared, Olivier Lidove: None declared, Bertrand Dussol: None declared, Boris Bienvenu: None declared, Elodie Vlamynck, Thomas MOULINET: None declared.