LAUSR

Background Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a prototypic autoimmune disease affecting multiple systems. To date a small number of studies have assessed the hand function and performance of daily activities in SLE1. Objectives To examine the grip and pinch hand strength, the dexterity, and the performance of Activities of Daily Living (ADL) in SLE patients compared with healthy controls. Methods 197 SLE patients (48,03±12,76, 88,3% female) and 100 healthy controls (47,87±12,77, 86% female), matched by age and gender, were enrolled in the study. Both groups were assessed by hand grip and pinch grip strength, dexterity and ADL performance tests. Hand grip strength was measured by Jamar dynamometer, and pinch grip strength by pinch gauge, in both hands. Dexterity was measured by purdue pegboard test. Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) questionnaire and Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) were used in order to determine the difficulties in ADLs. Results Hand grip strength, both lateral and jaws pinch grip strength, and dexterity, were significantly impaired (p<0,001) in both hands of SLE patients compared to healthy subjects (table 1). DASH questionnaire (19.78±20.93 vs 2.43±2.9, p<0.001) and Health Assessment Questionnaire score (HAQ) (0.41±0.52 vs 0.03±0.52, p<0.001) were also significantly different between SLE patients and healthy controls.Abstract AB0592 – Table 1 Right Hand Left Hand Patient group Control group P value Patient group Control group P value Grip Strength 25.59±9.12 30.89±9.00 <0.001 24.54±9.80 29.56±9.21 <0.001 Tip to tip Pinch Strength 3.94±2.03 4.25±1.66 0.194 3.45±1.73 4.11±1.55 0.002 Lateral Pinch Strength 6.03±2.12 7.24±1.85 <0.001 5.52±1.98 6.66±1.93 <0.001 Jaws Pinch Strength 4.68±1.99 5.86±1.93 <0.001 4.37±1.94 5.62±1.80 <0.001 Purdue Score 13.09±2.58 14.28±2.58 <0.001 12.42±2.16 13.10±2.30 <0.001 All values are presented as mean ±SD Conclusions These findings demonstrate that SLE patients have lower grip, pinch strength and dexterity and more difficulties in ADL performance. These findings underline the need to develop specific hand therapy programs for SLE patients. References [1] Johnsson PM, Sandqvist G, Nilsson JA, et al. Hand function and performance of daily activities in systemic lupus erythematosus: a clinical study. Lupus2015;24:827–834 Disclosure of Interest None declared