Abstract
Objective. Systemic sclerosis (SSc) results in impaired function, disability, and reduced health-related quality of life. We investigated the effect of coping strategies on the patient global assessment of health (PtGA) and Health Assessment Questionnaire–Disability Index (HAQ-DI), after controlling for clinical characteristics and disease activity. We also explored the relationship between coping strategies and the correlation between the PtGA and physician global assessment (PGA) in SSc. Methods. We undertook posthoc analyses using baseline data obtained from the Raynaud Symptom Study (RSS). The PtGA, Coping Strategies Questionnaire, Pain Catastrophizing Scale, and Scleroderma Health Assessment Questionnaire were collected alongside the PGA, clinical characteristics, and patient demographics. Multivariable linear regression models and correlations were used to evaluate the relationship between coping strategies with the PtGA, HAQ-DI, and PGA. Results. Of the 107 patients with SSc enrolled in the RSS, there were sufficient data available for the analysis of 91 participants. The mean PtGA was 40/100 (SD 27) and the mean HAQ-DI was 0.87/3.0 (SD 0.73). After controlling for clinical and patient demographics, pain catastrophizing and maladaptive coping skills were significantly associated with the PtGA and HAQ-DI scores (P < 0.05 for both), but not the PGA. Conclusion. The effect of coping strategies on PtGA and HAQ-DI (but not PGA in SSc) could influence the result of composite measures incorporating these outcome measures. Interventions to improve patient coping skills may support increased resilience and improve patient-perceived functional status and PtGA in SSc.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 1569 - 1573 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Journal | The Journal of Rheumatology |
Volume | 48 |
Issue number | 10 |
Early online date | 1 May 2021 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1 Oct 2021 |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:DDD is supported by the Jerome L. Greene Foundation. 1D.D. DiRenzo, MD, MHS, A.A. Shah, MD, MHS, Johns Hopkins Division of Rheumatology, Baltimore, Maryland, USA; 2T.R. Smith, PhD, Department of Mathematical Sciences, University of Bath, Bath, UK; 3T.M. Frech, MD, MS, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; 4J.D. Pauling, BMedSci, BMBS, PhD, FRCP, Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases (at Royal United Hospitals), and Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, University of Bath, Bath, UK. A.A. Shah and J.D. Pauling are joint senior authors. The authors declare no conflicts of interest relevant to this article. Address correspondence to Dr. J.D. Pauling, Consultant Rheumatologist & Senior Lecturer, Department of Rheumatology, Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases (part of the Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust), Combe Park, Avon, Bath, BA1 3NG, UK. Email: [email protected]. Accepted for publication April 14, 2021.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2021 The Journal of Rheumatology.
Keywords
- Coping
- Disability
- Pain
- Quality of life
- Scleroderma
- Systemic sclerosis
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Immunology and Allergy
- Rheumatology
- Immunology