AB0592 Impairment in hand strength, dexterity and activities of daily living performance in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: results of a cross-sectional study

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 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