This study investigated the relationships between core endurance, finger grip strength, fatigue, and hand function in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
The aim was to evaluate the level of RA activity and disease activity and to examine the differences between healthy controls and RA patients in terms of these results. A total of 113 people participated in the study, including 75 patients (57 women and 18 men; mean age: 48.65±12.53) diagnosed with RA (moderate and high levels of disease activity) aged 18-65 years and 38 healthy control group members (28 women and 10 men; mean age: 45.11±10.6). In the evaluation, finger grip strength measurements (double grip, lateral grip, three-point grip) were done using a pinchmeter. In the kor endurance measurement, the patient was asked to lift their knees off the ground in a crawling position by contracting their kor muscles and keeping their waist at a certain distance, and the time they maintained the position was recorded. Hand function with SACRAH (Skor For Assessment And Quantification Of Chronic Rheumatic Affections Of The Hands), fatigue severity with FSS (Fatigue Severity Skor) and physical activity level with FIT Index (Frequency-Intensity-Time) were measured.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
113
Sivas Cumhuriyet University
Sivas, Turkey (Türkiye)
Core endurance
Modified prone plank. This test began with a crawling position, and the participant was instructed to lift their knees off the ground and maintain that position.
Time frame: December 2022-September 2023
Finger grip strength
Finger grip strength (double grip, lateral grip, three-point grip) was measured using a pinchmeter.
Time frame: December 2022-September 2023
Hand function
Hand function was measured with SACRAH (Score For Assessment And Quantification Of Chronic Rheumatic Affections Of The Hands). SACRAH is a scale consisting of 23 questions. Questions 1-17 assess hand function, questions 18-19 assess stiffness, and questions 20-23 assess pain. Scoring is done on a scale of 0-100, and the higher the score, the worse the outcome.
Time frame: December 2022-September 2023
Fatigue severity
Fatigue severity was determined using FSS (Fatigue Severity Score).It contains 9 questions, each scored between 0-7. A total FSS score of 6.1 or higher indicates chronic fatigue.
Time frame: December 2022-September 2023
Physical activity level
Determined with FIT Index (Frequency-Intensity-Time).The maximum FIT index score is 100. Higher FIT scores indicate high levels of physical activity.
Time frame: December 2022-September 2023
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