Evaluation of the relationship of kinesophobia with functional status, quality of life, pain and depression, modified rodnan skin scoring in patients with systemic sclerosis

Systemic sclerosis is a chronic multisystemic and autoimmune disease characterized by widespread vascular dysfunction and progressive skin and internal organs fibrosis. It is an autoimmune rheumatic disease that impairs the quality of life and has the highest mortality and morbidity associated with the disease, and its etiology is not known exactly. Kinesiophobia is defined as the fear of physical activity resulting from excessive sensitivity and uncomfortable feelings due to painful or repeated injury. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship of kinesiophobia with functional status, quality of life, pain, depression, and modified Rodnan skin scoring in patients diagnosed with systemic sclerosis. A total of 100 patients were included in the study, including 40 patients who applied to Dicle University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Rheumatology Polyclinic between February 2022 and September 2022, were aged between 18-65 years and agreed to participate in the study as a result of clinical evaluation and radiological examinations were diagnosed with systemic sclerosis and met the inclusion and exclusion criteria of the study, in addition to 60 healthy subjects aged between 18-65 years, who did not have a diagnosis of systemic sclerosis, and who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria of the study in the control group. The Tampa scale was used to evaluate kinesiophobia in patients and the control group. Beck Anxiety Scale (BDI) was used to assess anxiety in the patient group, Health Assessment Scale (HAQ) was used to assess the quality of life, Scleroderma Health Assessment Questionnaire (SSc-HAQ) was used to assess functional status, and Modified Rodnan Skin Score was used to assess skin thickness. The Tampa scale scores were found to be significantly higher in the patient group than in the control group. According to the correlation analysis, it was determined that there was a positive and significant correlation between the Tampa scale and age, duration of illness, VAS, respiratory disease, disease severity, and Beck Anxiety Scale (BDI) in the patient group, and a negative correlation was found with quality of life and Modified Rodnan Skin Score. Kinesiophobia is associated with increased anxiety, duration of illness, advanced age, pain, and respiratory distress in patients with systemic sclerosis. Structural disorders and psychological factors should be considered among the reasons for prolonging the limitation of movement and delayed recovery. For this reason, when patients with systemic sclerosis are evaluated for therapeutic purposes, it may be beneficial to apply psychological support treatments in addition to medical and physical therapy. Keywords: Systemic Sclerosis, Kinesiophobia, Anxiety, Quality of Life, Modified Rodnan Skin Score, Functional Status