Kinesiophobia and related factors in systemic lupus erythematosus patients

Abstract

Background/aim: This study was designed to investigate the relationship between kinesiophobia and the level of physical activity,depression, disease activity, fatigue, pain, and quality of life in female patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).Materials and methods: Seventy volunteer female patients were included in the study. Kinesiophobia, physical activity level, diseaseactivity, fatigue, depression, pain, and quality of life were assessed using the Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia (TSK), International PhysicalActivity Questionnaire- Short Form (IPAQ), Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI), Fatigue Severity Scale(FSS), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), McGill Pain Questionnaire- Short Form (MPQ-SF) and Nottingham Health Profile (NHP),respectively.Results: Two-thirds of the patients in the study had a high degree of kinesiophobia. Although there was a significant correlation betweenkinesiophobia and depression and some subscales of quality of life (sleep, social isolation, emotional reactions) (P < 0.05), no significantcorrelation with other parameters was found.Conclusion: As a result of this study, the majority of SLE patients included in the study were identified as having high levels ofkinesiophobia. Patients’ fear and avoidance reaction from movement can be influenced by psychosocial factors. Treatments focusing onkinesiophobia of SLE patients could be beneficial in increasing the success of rehabilitation.